PICTURES  FROM  PRISON  LIFE. 


AN   HISTORICAL   SKETCH 


MASSACHUSETTS  STATE  PRISON. 


SUGGESTIONS    ON    DISCIPLINE. 


BY 


GIDEON    HAYNES, 
n 

•     WARDEN. 


BOSTON: 
LEE    AND     SHEPARD,    PUBLISHERS. 

NEW   YORK: 
LEE,  SHEPARD  AND  DILLINGHAM. 

mi. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1868,  by 

LEE    AND    SHEPARD, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


Stereotyped  at  the  Boston  Stereotype  Foundry, 
13  Spring  Lane. 


PREFACE. 


THERE  are  few,  if  any,  of  the  various  in- 
stitutions of  the  commonwealth  in  which  so 
much  interest  is  felt  as  in  the  State  Prison. 
For  more  than  sixty  years  its  frowning  walls 
have  stood  a  silent  yet  impressive  monitor,  re- 
minding the  evil-doer  that  "  the  way  of  the  trans- 
gressor is  hard."  Still,  but  little  is  generally 
known  of  the  history  of  the  prison.  This  fact 
has  led  the  author  of  •  this  book  to  examine 
the  records,  —  meagre,  indeed,  and  yet  impor- 
tant,—  and  to  prepare,  according  to  the  best  of 
his  ability,  a  reliable  account,  as  full  and  satis- 
factory as'  the  material  at  his  command  would 
permit.  His  official  connection  for  many  years 
with  the  management  of  this  institution  has 
furnished  him  with  many  thrilling  incidents, 
and  has  also  enabled  him  to  learn  the  many 
traditions  that  have  been  handed  down  through 
successive  administrations.  It  has  been  his 
object  in  this  volume  to  select  and  present 
the  most  interesting  of  these,  as  Illustrative  ol 
different  phases  of  prison  lif-  *:'  •:  *l«o  f-  0^1 

M70548 


6  PREFACE. 

such  views  on  the  great  subject  of  prison 
discipline  as  nearly  eleven  years  of  active 
experience  have  proved  to  be  sound  and  practi- 
cal, and  for  the  advantage  both  of  society  at 
large,  and  those  who,  by  reason  of  crime,  are 
deprived  of  their  liberty. 

There  is  no  book  exactly  of  this  character 
within  the  author's  knowledge,  and  he  feels 
that  the  subject  appeals  in  a  peculiar  manner 
to  the  sympathy  and  laudable  curiosity  of  the 
public.  The  imperfections  of  early  records,  and 
oftentimes  the  carelessness  of  those  whose  duty 
it  was  to  preserve  all  that  pertained  to  the 
prison,  either  in  its  history  or  in  its  routine  of 
daily  life,  are  the  unavoidable  causes  of  some 
deficiencies ;  but  it  is  believed  that  sufficient 
has  been  saved  from  the  past  to  warrant  the 
time  and  labor  that  have  been  cheerfully  put 
forth  in  making  this  volume  what  it  is.  That 
it  may  interest  and  instruct  the  reader,  and 
have  some  influence  in  drawing  the  attention 
of  the  public  to  the  mutual  relations  of  society 
and  those  under  its  ban,  and  aid  in  securing 
the  two  great  ends  of  prison  life,  the  protec- 
tion of  society  and  the  reformation  of  the 
criminal,  is  the  earnest  desire  of 

THE  AUTHOR. 

CHARLESTOWN,  October,  1868. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

HISTORICAL   SKETCH. 

Early  State  Legislation.  —The  "Old  Prison."—  Regu- 
lations. —  First  Death,  and  first  Escape.  —  Contract  for 
Labor.— Chaplain  Balfour,  and  Baptism.  — Discipline.—* 
Changes  in  Management.  —  Modes  of  Punishment.  — 
Dress.  —  Visits  of  Governor  to  the  Prison.  —  Battle  be- 
tween the  Chesapeake  and  Shannon.  —  Breaking  Pris- 
on. —  Subsistence  and  Clothing  of  Prisoners.  —  The 
Labor  of  Convicts.  —  Punishment.  —  Organization  of  a 
Military  Guard.  — Discipline.  —  Ingenuity  of  Prisoners. 
—  Shrewd  Escapes.  —  Homicide.  —A Tread  Mill.  —Dif- 
ficulty between  the  Warden  and  Directors.  —  Appoint- 
ment of  Inspectors.  — North  Wing  finished.  —  Descrip- 
tion. —  Sickness.  —  Remarkable  Escape.  —  Burning  of 
the  Ursuline  Convent.  —  Precautions  against  Insurrec- 
tion. —  The  Shower  Bath  as  a  Mode  of  Punishment.  — 
Murder  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  the  Warden.  —  Origin  of  the 
Massachusetts  State  Prison  Society.  —  Mr.  Robinson 
as  Warden. — Appointment  of  Mr.  Frothingham. —  Erec- 
tion of  the  South  Wing.  —  Another  Murder  in  Prison.  — 
Appointment  of  Mr.  Tenny  as  Warden.  —  Murder  of 
the  Deputy  Warden  and  the  Warden.  —  Excitement  in 
the  City. —Action  in  Relation  to  the  Matter  by  the 
Legislature.  —  Report  of  the  Committee 13-75 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   II. 

HISTORICAL   SKETCH  —  CONTINUED. 

Appointment  of  Gideon  Haynes  as  Warden.  —  He  visits 
the  Prisoners.  —  Solitary  Confinement.  —  Deaths  of 
Convicts.  —  New  Views  of  Discipline.  —  Extracts  from 
Annual  Report.  —  Improvements  in  Prison  Accommo- 
dations. —  Incident.  —  Deaths.  —  The  Prison  on  Fire.  — 
Fall  of  a  Chimney.  —  The  Use  of  Tobacco.  —  Practical 
Joking  among  Prisoners.  —  Thanksgiving  Day  Ex- 
ercises, and  Pardon  of  a  Convict.  —  Curious  Case  of 
Circumstantial  Evidence.  — Governor  Banks's  Interest  in 
the  Prison.  — Improvements.  —  Contracts.  —  Work  for 
the  Army.  — Daring  Attempt  at  Escape.  — Matrimonial 
Speculation.  — Interesting  Incidents.  — Lack  of  Labor. 
—  Pecuniary  Condition  of  the  Prison.  —  Statistics.  — 
•Change  in  Dress.  — Address  to  the  Prisoners  by  Miss 
Evans.  —  Work  of  the  Sanitary  Commission.  —  Con- 
tributions to  the  Fair  by  the  Prisoners.  —  Contribu- 
tions to  the  Sailors'  Fair.  —  Aid  to  the  Sufferers  by 
the  Great  Fire  in  Portland.  —  Prices  of  Articles  used  in 
the  Prison.  —  Governor  Andrew's  Interest  in  the  Pris- 
oners, and  the  Esteem  in  which  he  was  hel'd  by  them ; 
his  Personal  Efforts  for  their  Welfare.  —  Governor  An- 
drew's Indignation  when  imposed  vipon.  —  His  Views  of 
the  Object  of  Imprisonment.  —  Incidents.  —  Governor 
Andrew's  last  Visit  to  the  Prison,  and  Grief  of  the  Pris- 
oners at  his  Death.  —  Returned  Soldiers  in  Prison.  — 
Effect  of  the  War  on  Crime.  —  Unworthy  Suspicions  of 
Soldiers  by  the  People  a  Cause  of  Crime.  —  Burning  of 
a  Workshop.  — A  Course  of  Lectures,  and  the  Results.  — 
Fair  at  the  Prison  to  buy  an  Organ  for  the  Chapel.  — 
Extension  of  the  West  Wing.  — '•  Relics  of  former  Meth- 
ods of  Discipline.  —  Financial  Condition 81-128 


CONTENTS.  9 

CHAPTER  III. 

SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS. 

Incidents.  —  A  Mutiny,  and  its  Suppression.  — A  Suicide. 

—  Anecdotes   of  a   noted  Thief.  —  Sad  Account  of  a 
Young  Man.  —  A  Mother's  Grief.  —  Death  of  an  Old 
Man.  —  Death  from  excessive  Joy.  —  "  From  the  Frying- 
pan    into    the    Fire."  —  Account  of  Brightmore,  alias 
"  Spunky."  —  Case  of  a  Frenchman,  and  his  Letter. — 
A  Convict  in  the  Army.  —  A  young  Criminal  reclaimed. 

—  Affecting  Incident.  — Death  of  a  Convict  — A  Moth- 
er's Love.  —  Remarkable  Literary  Productions  of  a  Pris- 
oner ;  Sketch  of  his  Life,  and  Extracts  from  his  Writings 

—  Renan,  Life  of  Christ.  —  Singular  Case  of  Present! 
ment.  — Attempt  to  release  Convicts.  —  Present  Condi 
tion  of  Prison 131-228 

CHAPTER  IV. 

PRISON    DISCIPLINE. 

Importance  of  the  Subject,  and  the  general  Ignorance  in 
Regard  to  it.  —  First  Action  of  the  State.  —  Extract* 
from  Laws.  —  Mr.  Dwight,  and  his  Labors  in  Behalf 
of  Prisoners.  —  Formation  of  the  Prison  Discipline 
Society.  —  Former  Methods  of  Discipline.  —  Scenes  at 
Washington  in  1825.  —  Prison  Labor.  —  Systems  in 
different  States.  —  The  Massachusetts  System.  —  Con- 
tracts, and  their  Advantages.  —  Satisfactory  Working  of 
the  present  System.  —  Holidays  in  Prison,  and  their 
Effect.  —  Evil  Results  from  Inequality  of  Sentences 
for  the  same  or  similar  Crimes.  —  Officers  sometimes 
unjust  in  their  Prosecutions,  with  striking  Illustrations. 

—  Pardons,  and  their  Effects.  —  Abuse  of  the  pardoning 
Power.  —  Sentences  should  be  consistent  and  uniform. 

—  Compounding  Felony.  —  The  Thief  and  the  Receiver 
of  Stolen  Goods.  —  Modes  of  Punishment  in  different 
States.  —  The  Dark   Cell.  —  Changes   suggested.  — 


IO  CONTENTS. 

Length  of  Sentence  shortened  by  good  Behavior,  ac- 
cording to  a  System  of  Marks.  —  Objections  consid- 
ered. —  Arguments  in  Favor  of  such  a  System.  —  Im- 
portance of  a  healthy  Moral  and  Religious  Influence  in 
all  the  Departments  of  Prison  Life.  —  Proper  Officers. 

—  Qualifications  of  a  good  Prison  Officer.  —  Descrip- 
tion of  the  Massachusetts   System  of  Prison  Disci- 
pline   231-276 

CHAPTER  V. 

PRISON  DISCIPLINE  —  CONTINUED. 

Address  by  Mr.  Haynes  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  October  9, 
1866.  —  Address  by  Mr.  Haynes  in  the  Prison  Chapel, 
April  2,  1868.  —  Address  by  Mr.  Haynes  before  the 
Society  for  the  Aid  of  Discharged  Convicts,  May  26, 
1868 279-309 

CHAPTER  VI. 

PRISONS    ABROAD. 

Punishment  the  only  Object  in  View.  —  Capital  Offences. 

—  Convicts  put  to  no  useful  Labor.  —  Prisons  in  Lon- 
don. —  Regulations.  —  Modes  of  Punishment.  —  Ty- 
burn. —  Singular  Custom.  —  Suppression  of  Crime  by 
Capital   Punishment   doubtful.  —  Last    Execution    in 
London.  —  Newgate.  — Jail    in  Glasgow.  —  Separate 
Prison  for  Men  and  Women  :  its  Success.  —  The  great 
English  Problem  in  regard  to  Convicts 3I3~329 

APPENDIX. 

List  of  the  Wardens,  Deputy  Wardens,  Physicians,  Chap- 
lains, Clerks,  from  1805  to  1868.  —  Table  of  the  Number 
of  Convicts  from  the  Opening  to  January  i,  1871.  331-334 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH. 

at) 


MASSACHUSETTS  STATE  PRISON. 


CHAPTER   I. 

HISTORICAL    SKETCH. 

PREVIOUS  to  1785  there  was  no  place  in  this  state 
for  the  reception  and  confinement  of  convicts,  except 
the  common  jails,  and  they  were  usually  so  rudely 
constructed  and  insecure  as  to  be  of  but  little  terror  to 
the  rogues  of  that  period.  The  exploits  of  Stephen 
Burroughs,  and  other  notorious  thieves  who  flourished 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  last  and  commencement 
of  the  present  century,  are  familiar  to  many:  the 
facility  with  which  they  broke  from  the  various  jails^ 
the  utter  impossibility  of  keeping  them  in  confine- 
ment, gave  color  to  the  idea  quite  prevalent  among 
the  more  ignorant  at  that  time,  that  they  received 
assistance  from  the  evil  one  himself,  and  many  stories 
and  incidents  to  prove  the  fact  were  in  circulation 

even  within  the  author's  recollection. 

1785.         On  the   I4th   of  March,  1785,  an   act  was 

passed  by  the  General  Court,  "  providing  that 

the  island  within  the  harbor   of  Boston,  commonly 

called  Castle  Island,  shall  be  a  place  for  the  reception 

(13) 


14  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

and  secure  confinement  of  all  such  persons  as  shall 
be  sentenced  to  confinement  and  hard  labor  for  the 
term  of  their  natural  lives,  or  for  any  shorter  space  of 
time." 

As  the  island  was  frequently  connected  with  the 
main  land  by  ice  during  the  winter,  and  the  distance 
was  not  so  great  as  to  deter  expert  swimmers  from 
crossing  in  summer,  it  was  found  to  be  even  more  in- 
•  secure  than^-tke  c4d  jails,  and  that  some  more  suitable 
•  *•"  place-must.'^  provided  for  the  purpose.  Con- 
•rfSpSr*  secfUfcOtl/.,  hi  1803,  the  General  Court  passed 
******  a'ri  actf  to 'build 'a  State  Prison,  and  about  five 
acres  of  land,  including  flats,  were  purchased  in 
Charlestown,  for  the  site  of  a  penitentiary,  u  for  the 
reformation,  as  well  as  punishment,  of  offenders." 

It  is  especially  noteworthy  that  something  more 
than  the  punishment  of  the  criminal  was  thus  early 
contemplated  by  the  state  authorities  ;  and  this  record, 
and  subsequent  facts,  show  that  in  this,  as  in  other 
reformatory  movements,  Massachusetts  had  an  ad- 
vanced position,  and  proved  faithful  to  the  principles 
which  lay  at  the  foundation  of  her  social,  civil,  and 

religious  institutions. 

1804-5.  The  building  familiarly  known  as  the  "  Old 
Prison  "  was  erected,  in  1804-5,  on  the  western 
extremity  of  the  peninsula  of  Charlestown,  called 
Lynde's  Point,  a  pleasant  and  healthful  spot,  com- 
manding a  rich,  variegated,  and  extensive  prospect, 
and  washed  on  the  west  and  north  by  the  tide  waters. 
The  building  was  two  hundred  feet  long,  by  forty-four 
wide ;  the  two  wings  each  four,  and  the  centre  five 
stories  high.  On  the  foundation  was  laid  a  tier  of 


*    HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  15 

hewn  stone,  nine  feet  long  and  twenty  inches  thick, 
which  formed  the  first  floor.  The  outer  walls  were 
four,  and  the  partition  walls  two  feet  thick,  and  all  the 
joints  were  strengthened  with  iron  clamps.  The  doors 
on  the  basement  story  were  made  of  wrought  iron, 
each  weighing  from  five  to  six  hundred  pounds.  The 
entry,  or  hall  between  the  cells  (which,  unlike  those 
of  the  present  day,  were  built  against  the  outer  walls), 
was  twelve  feet  wide,  arched  with  brick,  and  covered 
with  flat  stones,  having  two  double  iron  doors  at  each 
end  of  the  two  wings. 

The  second  story  was  like  the  first,  except  that  the 
outer  wall  was  but  three  and  a  half  feet  thick,  and  a 
grate  at  one  end  in  place  of  a  door.  A  portion  of  this 
story  was  appropriated  for  a  hospital. 

The  third  story  was  divided  into  rooms,  with  glazed 
windows,  double  grated  with  iron  bars,  two  inches 
square.  The  floor  of  the  entry  was  composed  of  hewn 
stone,  fourteen  feet  long,  each  weighing  between  three 
and  four  tons.  The  fourth  story  was  like  the  third, 
except  that  the  cells  were  covered  with  large  stones, 
the  windows  single  grated,  and  the  entry  arched  with 
brick. 

In  the  lower  story  were  twenty-eight  cells,  in  the 
second  thirty,  and  in  the  third  and  fourth  sixteen  each, 
making  ninety  in  all.  The  middle,  or  keeper's  apart- 
ment, was  five  stories  high.  The  lower  story  was 
appropriated  to  the  purpose  of  cooking;  the  second 
contained  the  directors'  and  keeper's  rooms ;  the  third, 
fourth,  and  fifth  stories  were  divided  into  sleeping- 
rooms.  Surmounting  the  centre  of  the  building  was 
a  cupola  fifteen  feet  high,  in  which  was  suspended  an 


1 6  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

alarm  bell.  Competent  judges  pronounced  this  to  be 
one  of  the  strongest  and  best  built  prisons  in  the  world, 
and  its  cost,  including  the  outworks,  amounted  to 
about  one  hundred  and  seventy  thousand  dollars. 
The  work  was  conducted  under  the  direction  of  Hon. 
Edward  H.  Robbins,  Charles  Bulfinch,  and  Jonathan 
Hunnewell,  Esqs.,  who  were  appointed  agents  for 
that  purpose  by  the  General  Court. 

The  prison  was  ready  to  receive  convicts  in  Decem- 
ber, 1805  ;  and,  on  the  I2th  of  that  month  two  were 
committed,  the  next  day  sixteen,  and  at  the  end  of  the 
month  the  prison  had  thirty-four  inmates. 

By  an  act  passed  by  the  General  Court,  June  15, 
1805,  the  governor  was  "  authorized  to  appoint  an 
agent  or  superintendent,  chaplain,  physician,  a  board 
of  visitors,  consisting  of  five  discreet  men,  and  such 
other  officers,  assistants,  and  servants  as  shall  and  may 
appear  fit  and  necessary  for  the  government,  employ- 
ment and  regulation  of  the  convicts  of  the  State  Pris- 
on." They  were  to  receive  the  following  salaries, 
namely :  the  superintendent  $1200  per  annum,  chap- 
lain $250,  physician  $200,  keeper  $450,  the  under- 
keepers  such  compensation  as  should  be  agreed  upon 
by  the  board  of  visitors.  Each  member  of  the  board 
of  visitors  was  to  receive  such  compensation  for  the 
time  he  should  necessarily  be  employed  about  the 
duties  assigned  to  them,  as  should  from  time  to  time 
be  allowed  to  the  several  members  of  the  legislature. 

On  the  1 7th  of  October,  1805,  the  governor  ap- 
pointed Daniel  Jackson,  Esq.,  of  Watertown,  super- 
intendent, and  Christopher  Gore,  Artemas  Ward, 
and  Benjamin  Pickman,  Jr.,  Esqs.,  visitors,  Rev.Jede- 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  1 7 

diah  Morse,  D.  D.,  chaplain  and  visitor,  and  Josiah 
Bartlett  physician  and  visitor. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  board  of  visitors  was  held 
November  7,  1805,  at  the  Charlestown  Hotel,  and 
at  an  adjourned  meeting  on  the  nth  of  that  month  the 
following  regulations  were  made  :  — 

"  That  the  clothing  of  the  convicts  should  be  half 
red  and  half  blue,  and  their  rations  should  be  as  fol- 
lows:— 

Sunday.     One  pound  of  bread,  of  the  cheapest  ma 
terials,  and  one  pound  of  coarse  meat,  made  into  broth. 
Monday.     One  pound  of  bread  and  one  quart  of 
potatoes. 

Tuesday.     One   pint   of  Indian   meal,    made  into 
hasty  pudding,  half  a  gill  of  molasses,  and  a  quart  of 
soup  made  of  ox  heads  and  offal. 
Wednesday.     Same  as  Monday. 
Thursday*     One  quart  of  Indian  meal,  made  into 
hasty  pudding. 

Friday.     Same  as  Tuesday, 

Saturday.     Half  a  pound  of  bread,  four  ounces  of 
salt  pork,  and  a  quart  of  pea  or  bean  porridge." 

It  was  also  decided  that  each  of  the  officers  of  the 
prison  should  be  furnished  with  a  gun,  bayonet,  and 
the  necessary  accoutrements,  and  a  cartridge-box 
containing  at  least  twelve  cartridges  with  balls,  also 
with  a  strong  cutlass,  to  be  worn  as  a  side  arm,  to 
be  used  as  the  regulations  of  the  prison  should  pre- 
scribe. 

1806.         The  first  death  occurred  in  the  prison  Jan- 
uary 20,  1806,  and  the  first  escape  February 
24  of  the  same  year. 
2 


1 8  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  visitors  it  was  voted 
"  that  the  superintendent  shall  provide  collars  or  rings 
to  be  worn  by  such  prisoners  as  shall  in  any  way  dis- 
cover a  disposition  to  escape."  The  board  of  visitors 
was  changed  this  year  by  the  withdrawal  of  Hon. 
Christopher  Gore  and  Benjamin  Pickman,  Esq.,  and 
the  appointment  in  their  places  of  Andrew  Cragie  and 
Joseph  Hurd,  Esqs. 

It  appears  that  early  in  the  history  of  prison  disci- 
pline in  this  state,  the  difficult  question  of  the  proper 
use  of  the  pardoning  power  was  brought  before  the 
officers  ;  and  a  very  judicious  vote  passed  by  the 
1807.  board  of  visitors  in  1807  clearly  shows  that  they 
felt  that  the  subject  was  a  delicate  one,  and  out- 
side the  limits  of  their  appropriate  duties.  Further  on  in 
this  volume  the  author  will  refer  to  this  subject  at  some 
length,  but  in  this  connection  it  is  necessary  to  give  only 
the  vote  above  mentioned.  It  was  in  these  words  :  — 

"  That  no  petition  for  pardons,  or  letters  accom- 
panying them,  shall  be  laid  before  the  board,  as  they 
do  not  feel  authorized  to  give  opinions  respecting  the 
propriety  of  pardons." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Morse  having  resigned  as  chaplain 
and  visitor,  and  Mr.  Ward  as  visitor,  the  governor 
and  conncil  passed  a  regulation  that  the  board  should 
consist  of  but  three  members.  This  year  is  also 
marked  by  the  fact  that  it  was  that  in  which  the  first 
contract  for  the  labor  of  convicts  was  made.  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Little  engaged  for  the  services  of  twenty  men  to 
work  at  the  plating  and  harness  business,  at  forty  dol- 
lars a  week  for  the  first  six  months,  and  fifty  dollars  a 
week  after  that  period. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  19 

Whether  the  new  prison  was  an  incentive  to  crime 
or  to  its  more  effective  punishment,  might  be  a  curious 
question.  At  any  rate,  there  was  a  great  increase  this 
year  in  the  number  of  inmates.  The  board  of  visitors 
reported  that  sixty-one  convicts  had  been  received, 
twenty  discharged  by  expiration  of  sentence,  five  par- 
doned, and  two  had  died,  thus  leaving  in  the  prison 
eighty-nine  men  and  five  women,  or  ninety-four  in 
all.  Of  this  number  twenty  were  in  solitary  confine- 
ment. 

1808.  The  vacancy  in  the  chaplaincy  caused  by 
the  resignation  of  Rev.  Dr.  Morse  was  filled 
by  the  appointment  of  Rev.  Walter  Balfour,  of  Charles- 
town,  to  act  as  chaplain  during  his  own  convenience 
or  their  pleasure.  But  in  October  the  board  received 
the  following  letter  from  him  :  — 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  As  a  change  of  sentiment  has 
taken  place  with  me  on  the  subject  of  infant  baptism, 
and  not  knowing  but  this  may  form  some  objections 
to  the  continuance  of  my  services  at  the  State  Prison, 
I  think  it  my  duty  to  intimate  to  you  my  desire  to  dis- 
continue them.  If  desired,  I  have  no  objection  to  sup- 
ply for  a  Sabbath  or  two,  until  you  may  conveniently 
provide  yourselves  with  some  other  person. 

"  WALTER  BALFOUR." 

The  board  of  visitors  did  not  deem  the  change  of 
sentiment  alluded  to  to  be  a  very  serious  matter,  for 
in  accepting  his  resignation  they  say,  — 

u  A  change  of  sentiment  on  the  subject  of  infant 
baptism  is  no  objection  in  their  minds  to  your  ministe- 
rial character.  Christians  of  different  denomination* 


2O  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

are  invited  to  officiate  here  ;  and  the  services  of  Bap- 
tist teachers  are  acceptable  and  instructive." 

Differences  of  opinion  on  such  a  subject  would  not, 
in  these  days,  be  considered  of  any  importance  in  a 
prison  chaplaincy ;  and  the  board  of  visitors  then 
thought  so  ;  but  that  Mr.  Balfour  thus  looked  at  the 

O  ' 

subject    is  an   illustration   of   conscientiousness  more 
common  then,  perhaps,  than  now. 

It  was  the  custom,  at  this  time,  for  the  sheriffs  to  de- 
liver to  the  prison  the  criminals  sentenced  in  the  dif- 
ferent counties.  It  was  rather  a  costly  arrangement, 
amounting  this  year  to  fifteen  hundred  dollars.  Maine , 
however,  had  not  then  been  set  off  as  an  independent 
state. 

During  this  year  ninety-one  convicts  were  received, 
twenty-eight  discharged  by  expiration  of  sentence,  and 
seven  pardoned,  leaving  one  hundred  and  forty-eight 
in  prison  at  the  close  of  the  year,  of  whom  twenty- 
five  were  in  solitary  confinement. 

1809.  On  the  3Oth  of  January,  during  a  violent 
snow  storm,  four  convicts  made  their  escape 
by  scaling  the  walls :  two  of  them  were  recaptured, 
and,  by  order  of  the  board  of  visitors,  were  firmly 
chained  by  the  legs  and  put  to  work.  During  this  }-ear 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Balfour,  the  chaplain,  resigned,  but 
whether  on  account  of  his  particular  religious  belief 
does  not  appear.  His  place  was  filled  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  Rev.  Oliver  Brown. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  visitors,  held  May 
II,  in  consequence  of  a  convict's  being  shot  in  the 
hand  by  a  watchman,  while  attempting  to  escape,  the 
.question  as  to  the  authority  of  an  officer  to  fire  upon  a 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  21 

prisoner  under  any  circumstances  came  up,  and  the 
matter  was  referred  to  the  governor  and  council.  Not 
having  obtained  a  satisfactory  reply,  and  another  seri- 
ous and  combined  attempt  at  escape  having  been  made 
by  the  convicts,  which  resulted  in  the  death  of  one  of 
them,  the  following  note  was  addressed  to  the  gov- 
ernor :  — 

"  STATE  PRISON,  June  23,  1809. 

"  MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  Having  as- 
certained at  the  secretary's  office  that  no  further  provi- 
sion is  made  for  the  security  of  this  institution,  and 
feeling  seriously  impressed  with  its  present  situation,  we 
have  thought  it  our  duty  to  state  that  for  some  time  past 
a  combination  has  been  forming,  by  some  of  the  most 
daring  convicts,  to  take  possession  of  the  prison,  and 
in  that  way  to  effect  an  escape ;  but,  not  finding  that 
measure  practicable,  they  abandoned  it,  and  agreed  to 
scale  the  walls  of  the  yard,  which  was  attempted  yes- 
terday, at  one  o'clock,  by  Isaac  Jackson  and  William 
Sawyer,  to  be  followed  by  about  twenty  others.  Jack- 
son was  mortally  wounded  by  the  watchman  on  the 
wall,  and  died  this  morning  about  five  o'clock.  No 
other  attempted  an  escape,  though  the  signal  which 
had  been  agreed  upon  was  given  from  the  workshops. 
They  undoubtedly  were  deterred  by  the  event  they 
witnessed.  The  deceased  was  a  black  man,  convicted 
of  larceny,  and  sentenced  for  six  years.  Previous  to 
his  death  he  developed  the  intention  of  the  convicts, 
which  was  corroborated  by  the  statement  of  Sawyer 
and  others  at  a  separate  examination.  .  .  . 

"  We  have  so  repeatedly  communicated  to  the  su- 
preme executive  the  necessity  of  a  more  particular  atten- 


22  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

tion  to  the  business  of  this  establishment,  that  we  reluc- 
tantly trouble  you  on  so  disagreeable  a  subject ;  but  it 
is  not  possible,  sir,  for  us  to  continue  a  responsibility 
which  we  never  contemplated,  and  which  is  not  pro- 
vided by  the  regulations  under  which  we  were  ap- 
pointed." 

No  satisfactory  answer  was  received  to  the  above 
communication,  nor  was  there  any  additional  legisla- 
tion on  the  subject.  The  right  of  an  officer  to  shoot  a 
convict  attempting  to  escape  is  as  undecided  in  1868, 
so  far  as  legislation  is  concerned,  as  it  was  in  1808. 
The  fact,  however,  that  the  government  puts  loaded 
rifles  in  the  hands  of  the  guard  upon  the  walls,  would 
seem  to  imply  the  right  to  use  them  should  occasion 
require  ;  and  the  instructions  the  guards  receive  from 
the  authorities  of  the  prison  at  the  present  time  are  to 
this  effect. 

Disturbances  and  violent  attempts  at  escape  in- 
creased to  such  an  extent  that  stringent  measures  be- 
came necessary,  and  it  was  ordered  "  that  a  room 
twenty-five  feet  long,  in  the  west  end  of  the  basement 
story,  be  grated  and  prepared  sufficiently  strong  in 
every  respect  for  the  confinement  to  labor  of  such  of 
the  convicts  as  cannot  be  employed  with  safety  in  the 
other  workshops,  —  to  be  called  the  refractory  room,  — 
and  the  superintendent  prepare  without  delay  a  suita- 
ble number  of  chains  for  the  legs,  and  of  a  proper 
strength,  to  be  worn  by  the  prisoners  confined  in  this 
room." 

The  board  of  visitors,  in  their  report,  state  that 
during  the  year  one  hundred  and  two  convicts  had 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  23 

been  received,  twenty-six  discharged  on  expiration  of 
sentence,  four  pardoned,  two  had  died,  and  one  had 
been  shot,  leaving  two  hundred  and  nine  in  the  prison, 
twenty  of  whom  were  in  solitary  confinement.  For 
some  reason  the  prison  was  not  in  a  prosperous  con- 
dition at  this  time,  and  the  board  of  visitors  state 
that  "  an  alteration  in  the  affairs  of  this  institution  is 
indispensable  to  its  prosperity  ;  and  with  the  present 
arrangement  it  cannot  succeed."  But  no  immediate 
action  on  this  recommendation  was  taken,  so  far  as  the 

records  show. 
1810.         The    necessity    of   some    change    seems  to 

have  continued,  and  at  last  to  have  compelled 
attention  and  action  by  the  proper  authorities.  On  the 
8th  of  March  the  visitors  had  a  full  conference  with 
his  excellency  the  governor  upon  the  subject,  and 
stated  that,  under  existing  circumstances,  it  was  im- 
possible for  the  institution  to  go  on  with  satisfaction  to 
the  board  or  benefit  to  the  commonwealth,  and  that 
a  new  arrangement  was  indispensable ;  whereupon 
the  number  of  visitors  was  increased  to  seven,  by  the 
appointing  of  John  Lovell,  Isaac  P.  Davis,  George 
G.  Lee,  and  William  Pickman,  Esqs.  This  arrange- 
ment did  not,  however,  succeed  ;  and  the  troubles, 
which  seemed  to  be  between  the  board  of  visitors  and 
the  superintendent,  continued,  and  finally  ended  in  the 
withdrawal  from  the  board  of  Messrs.  Bartlett,  Hurd, 
Davis,  Lee,  and  Pickman,  and  the  appointing  by  the 
governor  of  Hon.  William  Gray,  Tristram  Barnard, 
Joseph  Russell,  Thomas  Melville,  Esqs.,  Hon.  Mat- 
thew Bridge,  and  Jonathan  S.  Austin,  to  fill  the  va- 
cancies. 


24  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

The  cost  of  maintaining  the  prison  from  its  opening 
up  to  this  time,  above  receipts,  was  $50,238.62. 
1811.  This  year  a  new  act  was  passed  by  the 
General  Court,  u  providing  for  the  government 
and  regulation  of  the  State  Prison."  The  officers 
were  to  consist  of  a  warden  and  three  directors.  Rob- 
ert Gardner  was  appointed  warden  in  place  of  Daniel 
Jackson,  who  retired  after  holding  the  situation  six 
years.  James  Prince,  Jesse  Putnam,  and  James  T. 
Austin,  Esqs.,  were  appointed  directors,  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Collier 'chaplain,  and  Dr.  Josiah  Bartlett  phy- 
sician. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  directors  it  was  voted  that 
"  the  warden  be  desired  to  indulge  the  prisoners  on  the 
approaching  Thanksgiving  in  such  manner  as  he  shall 
judge  advisable,  not  exceeding  double  the  expense  of 
their  usual  fare  ;  and  that  James  T.  Austin,  Esq.,  be 
requested  to  deliver  an  address  to  the  prisoners  upon 
that  occasion."  The  arrangement  was  carried  out 
quite  successfully,  thus  inaugurating  a  custom  which 
has  become  identified  with  this  institution,  and  of 
which  more  will  be  said  in  another  place. 

The  punishments  inflicted  at  this  period  were  some- 
times quite  singular.  For  instance,  an  order  is  re- 
corded that  "  a  gallows  be  erected  in  the  prison  yard, 
at  an  elevation  of  twenty  feet,  on  which  certain  pris- 
oners (seven  in  number)  shall  be  placed,  and  sit  with 
a  rope  round  their  necks  for  one  hour,  once  a  week, 
for  three  successive  weeks ;  that  for  sixty  days  they 
wear  an  iron  collar  and  chain,  as  the  warden  shall 
direct ;  and  they  eat  at  a  table  by  themselves ;  and 
that  they  wear  a  yellow  cap,  with  ass's  ears,  for  sixty 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  25 

days,  &c.,  &c.     This  sentence   to  be  read  in  the  hall 
at  breakfast,  in  presence  of  all  the  prisoners." 

A  single  change  was  made  with  officers  this 
1812.  year.  Jesse  Putnam,  Esq.,  having  resigned 
as  director,  Caleb  Bingham,  Esq.,  was  ap 
pointed  to  fill  the  vacancy.  Some  radical  change? 
were  introduced  at  this  time,  with  a  view  of  establish 
ing  a  system  of  gradation  in  the  convicts. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  directors,  it  was  voted,  "  that 
convicts  sentenced  to  the  prison  a  second  time  shall  be 
distinguished  from  the  others  by  being  dressed  in  three- 
colored  garments,  namely,  one  stripe  of  red,  one  of 
yellow,  and  one  of  blue.  They  shall  be  placed  at 
their  meals  at  separate  tables  from  those  confined  for 
the  first  time,  and  will  receive  only  two  warm  meals 
per  clay,  and  bread  and  water  for  the  other  meal, 
except  on  Sunday. 

"  Convicts  sentenced  to  the  prison  a  third  time  shall 
be  distinguished  from  others  by  being  clothed  in  a 
four-colored  garment,  namely,  one  stripe  of  red,  one 
of  yellow,  one  of  blue,  and  one  of  black.  They  shall 
be  put  to  the  meanest  and  hardest  labor,  and  shall 
have  only  one  warm  meal  per  day ;  nor  shall  they  be 
permitted  to  see  their  friends  more  than  twice  during 
the  year.  Convicts  who  may  have  effected  their 
escape*,  when  retaken  shall  wear  an  iron  ring  on  their 
left  leg,  to  which  a  clog,  attached  by  a  chain,  shall  be 
suspended  during  their  continuance  at  the  prison, 
unless  restored  to  favor  by  the  board  of  directors." 

At  this  period  the  annual  visit  of  the  governor  and 
council  was  considered  quite  an  event,  and  attended 
with  considerable  ceremony,  as  is  shown  by  an  order 


26  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

issued  by  the  board  of  directors  upon  the  visit  of 
Governor  Gerry  and  council.  There  was  a  real  dig- 
nity then  attaching  to  those  high  in  office,  which  is  not 
always  manifest  in  thes-e  days,  when  reverence  for  au- 
thority is  so  rare.  The  "  order  "  is  in  these  words  :  — 

"  Ordered,  that  during  the  visitation  no  strangers 
be  allowed  within  the  walls  ;  that  the  keeper  receive 
the  visitors  at  the  outer  gate,  and  conduct  them  to  the 
directors'  room,  where  they  shall  be  received  by  the 
warden,  and  introduced  to  the  board  ;  that  the  warden, 
directors,  chaplain,  and  physician,  preceded  by  the 
keeper,  attend  on  the  visitors  through  the  several 
apartments  of  the  prison,  to  answer  and  explain  to 
them  such  questions  and  inquiries  as  they  may  think 
proper  to  make;  and  that  the  warden  make  such 
disposition  of  the  guards  as  may  comport  with  the 
safety  and  respect  due  to  the  visitors." 

At  twelve  o'  clock,  his  excellency  the  governor,  the 
Hon.  Aaron  Hill,  Marshall  Spring,  Hon.  Nathaniel 
Morton,  accompanied  by  the  secretary  of  the  com- 
monwealth, arrived  at  the  outer  gate  of  the  prison, 
when  they  were  received  by  the  keeper,  and  by  him 
conducted  to,  and  were  received  by,  the  warden,  and 
by  him  introduced  to  the  board,  chaplain,  and  physi- 
cian, in  the  directors'  room.  The  warden,  chaplain, 
and  physician  made  their  reports,  and  then  tire  pro- 
cession moved,  in  conformity  to  the  preceding  direc- 
tion of  the  board,  through  the  various  departments  of 
the  prison.  During  the  inspection  of  the  solitary 
cells,  his  excellency  directed  two  convicts,  confined  to 
the  cells  for  breaches  of  the  rules  of  the  prison,  to  be 
liberated ;  and  while  passing  through  the  dining-hall, 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  2*J 

while  the  convicts  were  at  dinner,  he  directed  the 
warden  "to  furnish  the  convicts  each  with  a  pint  of 
cider  "  —  an  act  of  generosity  which  would  be  some- 
what questionable  at  the  present  day. 

The  board  of  directors  having  understood  that  the 
frigate  Chesapeake  was  to  be  repaired  in  Charlestown, 
it  was  voted  that,  "  the  warden  endeavor  to  make  a 
contract  with  the  agent  of  the  United  States  for  such 
work  as  can  be  done  in  the  prison." 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  frigate  Chesapeake 
was  sent  into  Boston  to  be  repaired  and  refitted. 
When  nearly  ready  for  sea,  the  British  frigate  Shan- 
non appeared  off  the  harbor,  and  the  commander  sent 
a  challenge  to  Captain  Lawrence  to  come  out  with 
his  ship  and  fight  him.  The  vessels  were  nearly 
equal  so  far  as  men  and  guns  were  concerned,  but  the 
Shannon  had  been  cruising  several  weeks.  She  was- 
one  of  the  finest  frigates  in  the  English  navy,  selected 
and  fitted  out  with  a  picked  crew  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  engaging  one  of  our  vessels,  and,  if  possible, 
checking  the  success  which  had  attended  the  Ameri- 
can ships  in  every  engagement  where  anything  like  an 
equality  of  men  and  guns  existed. 

Captain  Lawrence,  stung  with  indignation  that  the 
British  flag  should  be  flying  in  plain  view  from  the 
surrounding  heights,  hastily  collected  such  of  his  crew 
as  could  be  found,  and  put  to  sea  to  fight  the  Shannon. 
The  battle  took  place  off  the  outer  harbor.  It  was  a 
beautiful  day,  and  as  the  affair  had  become  noised 
abroad,  every  hill-top,  roof,  and  steeple,  wherever  a 
view  of  the  scene  could  be  obtained,  was  .covered 
with  anxious  spectators.  Amid  the  prayers  and  shouts- 


28  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

of  the  congregated  thousands,  the  Chesapeake  passed 
down  the  harbor.  With  a  crew  thus  hastily  sum- 
moned, some  of  them  still  under  the  influence  of 
recent  dissipation,  with  only  time  to  assign  them  to 
the  guns,  with  no  opportunity  to  practise  or  work 
them,  with  strange  officers,  and  the  confusion  always 
on  board  a  ship  when  leaving  port,  is  it  to  be  won- 
dered at,  that,  laboring  under  such  disadvantages,  she 
was  beaten?  Unfortunately,  Captain  Lawrence,  in 
the  early  part  of  the  action,  fell  mortally  wounded, 
and,  as  he  was  being  conveyed  below,  uttered  those 
heroic  words  which  have  immortalized  his  name,  and 
have  since  become  so  intimately  connected  and  asso- 
ciated with  the  noble  deeds  of  our  sailors  —  "  Don't 
give  up  the  ship." 

The  following  communication,  which  was  received 
this  year  from  the  marshal  of  the  Massachusetts  dis- 
trict, naturally  passes  into  the  history  of  the  prison  :  — 

"  DISTRICT  MARSHAL'S  OFFICE,  November  5,  1812. 
"  GENTLEMEN  :  Having  received  repeated  intimations 
from  the  keeper  of  the  jail,  in  the  county  of  Suffolk, 
within  this  district,  that  in  his  estimation  it  is  not 
perfectly  safe  for  the  detention  of  prisoners  confined 
there,  I  applied  to  his  excellency  the  governor  for 
permission,  under  direction  of  your  board,  to  remove 
and  safe  keep  Samuel  Tully  and  John  Dalton,  two 
men  convicted  of  a  capital  crime,  under  the  authority 
of  the  United  States,  to  the  State  Prison,  Charlestown  ; 
and  I  have  received  his  assent  to  my  request,  under 
the  restrictions  expressed  in  his  letter,  which  I  have 
the  honor  to  transmit  to  you,  with  a  request  that  you 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  29 

would  be  pleased,  as  the  immediate  directors  of  the 
institution,  to  take  such  order  thereon  as  the  safety  of 
that  place  may  suggest,  and  as  may  enable  me  to  have 
my  request  so  complied  with  as  to  insure  the  con- 
finement and  detention  of  these  men,  and  provide  for 
their  support  without  expense  to  the  commonwealth, 
or  imposing  unnecessary  trouble  on  the  warden  or 
other  officers  of  the  prison.  You  will  also  oblige  me 
by  assenting,  and  ordering  that  while  these  prisoners 
are  there  they  shall  be  subject  to  the  rules  and  regula- 
tions of  the  house  and  of  the  board,  so  as  to  cause 
them  not  to  be  visited,  except  by  special  permission, 
either  from  the  board  or  a  member  thereof,  the  clergy 
excepted. 

"JAMES  PRINCE,  Marshal" 

The  marshal  also  requested  "  from  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  State  Prison,  that  they  would  assign 
to  me  four  of  their  officers  to  attend  the  execution  of 
the  unfortunate  convicts  on  Thursday,  the  loth  in- 
stant ;  that  they  shall  receive  reasonable  considera*- 
tion  from  the  United  States  for  their  services.  I  shall 
also  wish  the  use  of  the  directors'  room  on  that  day, 
in  order  to  make  those  arrangements  which  the  awful 
duties  of  that  day  may  make  necessary." 

These  criminals  were  received,  and  they  remained 
in  the  prison  till  December  10,  when  they  were 
taken  to  Nook's  Hill,  South  Boston,  where  Tully  was 
executed  ;  Dalton  was  reprieved  upon  the  gallows. 

An  attempt  was  made  this  year  to  destroy 

1813.     the  workshops  by  fire.     One  of  the  convicts, 

by  the  name  of  Burk,  having  been  found  guilty 


30  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

of  engaging  in  the  plot,  it  was  ordered,  "  that  he  be 
chained  by  the  leg,  in  addition  to  his  being  confined 
in  the  cell,  with  the  heaviest  chain  which  can  be  pro- 
cured, and  that  he  also  be  chained  to  the  ringbolt  for 
twenty-four  hours." 

The  same  year  several  prisoners  made  an  attempt 
to  escape  from  the  prison,  and  it  was  ordered,  "  That 
George  Lynds  wear  the  iron  jacket  for  eight  days, 
and  stand  in  the  broad  aisle  of  the  chapel  with  the 
same,  on  the  morrow  and  the  ensuing  Sunday,  sleep 
in  solitary  ninety  days,  and  wear  a  clog  with  an  iron 
chain  for  eighty-two  days  afterwards  ;  Charles  Gibbs 
and  John  Hamilton  sleep  in  solitary  sixty  days  each, 
and  wear  a  clog  with  an  iron  chain  for  the  same 
period." 

In  consequence  of  being  required  to  perform  addi- 
tional duties,  most  of  the  watchmen  resigned,  and 
new  men  were  substituted.  Two  of  these  were  found 
asleep  while  on  duty  the  first  week  ;  and  one  Hamil- 
ton, a  convict  alluded  to  in  the  preceding  paragraph, 
escaped  under  the  following  circumstances :  He  was 
at  work  in  company  with  others  on  the  wharf,  guard- 
ed by  four  officers,  and  he  was  also  chained  with  a 
clog  to  his  leg  for  a  former  attempt  to  escape  ;  but  he 
contrived  to  free  himself  from  his  fetters,  and  change 
his  pantaloons  for  a  pair  mysteriously  obtained,  and 
deceived  the  vigilance  of  the  guard.  The  first  intima- 
tion of  his  escape  came  from  the  citizens  of  the  town. 
The  directors  offered  a  reward  of  Jive  dollars  for  the 
securing  and  delivering  at  the  prison  any  convict  who 
should  escape  from  the  precincts  thereof,  showing 
the  value  they  set  upon  such  matters.  So  paltry  a 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  £t 

sum  would  not  induce  any  one  to  risk  his  life  or  limb 
in  attempting  to  recapture  an  escaped  convict ;  and  it 
also  led  criminals  to  feel  acsured  of  comparative 
safety,  if  they  once  got  outside  of  prison  walls. 

Two  other  convicts  disappeared  during  the  month, 
leaving  no  clew  to  the  manner  of  their  escape.  Sun- 
dry articles  of  clothing  were  found  concealed  in  the 
yard,  introduced  clandestinely  from  outside,  and,  from 
information  given  by  one  of  the  convicts,  the  board 
of  directors  were  satisfied  that  an  insurrection  had 
been  planned  to  seize  the  guards,  and,  by  putting 
them  to  death,  effect  a  general  escape ;  the  ringlead- 
ers were  secured  and  confined  to  their  cells. 

Robert  Gardner,  Esq.,  the  warden,  resigned  his 
position,  having  served  but  two  years,  and  Gamaliel 
Bradford,  Esq.,  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
The  rules  relative  to  a  short  allowance  of 
1814.  provisions  to  convicts  sentenced  for  the  second 
and  third  offences  were  rescinded;  and  the 
warden  was  requested  to  report  to  the  board  of  direct- 
ors, at  an  adjourned  meeting,  what  agreement  could 
be  made  with  the  guards  as  to  a  commutation* for  their 
allowance  of  cider.  It  is  not  plain  whether  this  last 
suggestion  arose  from  any  abuse  of  the  cider  ration,  or 
from  a  change  in  public  sentiment  on  the  general 
subject  of  temperance  in  drinking. 

It  would  seem,  by  extracts  from  the  report  of  the 
directors,  which  will  be  given,  that  the  anticipation 
originally  entertained  in  regard  to  the  institution, 
especially  in  a  pecuniary  point,  had  not  been  real- 
ized. Of  course  it  is  not  proper  to  demand,  or  to 
expect,  that  the  different  departments  of  government 


32  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON 

shall  be  self-supporting,  much  less  a  source  of  profit ; 
but  it  was  reasonably  thought  that  where  so  many 
persons,  who  should  be  profitable  citizens,  were  main- 
tained at  public  expense  on  account  of  their  crimes, 
their  labor  might  and  should  be  turned  in  some  way  to 
the  benefit  of  the  state.  The  grand  object  in  view  is 
the  welfare  of  the  people  ;  and  this  can  only  be  accom- 
plished at  an  expense  which  must  be  borne  by  those 
who  receive  the  benefits  resulting  from  good  govern- 
ment. If  in  any  just  way  any  particular  branch  can 
be  made  to  meet  its  own  expenses,  the  public  is  so 
far  the  gainer ;  but  it  must  be  sustained  in  any  event. 
It  may  be  said  that  the  war  department  of  the  nation- 
al government  is  a  vast  expense,  but  it  secures  the 
safety  of  the  nation,  and  therefore  is  in  reality  profit- 
able ;  the  post-office  department  outruns  its  receipts 
by  large  amounts,  and  yet  it  must  be  supported.  And 
so  with  prisons  and  similar  institutions  ;  if,  by  excel- 
lent management,  they  are  made  a  source  of  income, 
or  at  least  present  no  deficits,  the  public  is  the  gainer ; 
but  if  the  opposite  is  true,  the  prison  must  none  the 
less  be  maintained,  for  the  public  good  requires  it. 
The  extracts  are  as  follows :  — 

"  The  convicts  are  sentenced  to  hard  labor,  and  it 
'was  a  fond  thought,  a  false  expectation,  in  some  of 
the  advocates  for  such  an  institution,  that  the  proceeds 
of  this  labor  would  pay  all  the  expenses  of  the  estab- 
lishment. Various  causes  combine  to  make  it  impos- 
sible that  such  expectations  should  be  realized.  Were 
the  expenses  of  subsistence  and  clothing  for  the  con- 
victs only  brought  into  the  account,  the  proceeds  of 
their  labor,  perhaps,  might  nearly  balance  it.  Bu> 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  ^ 

the  other  charges  for  the  support  of  the  institution,  and 
incidental  to  it,  more  than  double  these  two  items  — 
such  as  pay  and  support  of  the  officers,  overseers,  and 
guards,  care,  attendance,  and  medicine  for  the  sick, 
transportation  of  convicts  from  the  various  and  distant 
counties  in  the  state,  additions,  alteration,  and  repairs 
of  the  buildings,  loss  and  damage  of  stock  or  manu- 
factures by  malicious  and  revengeful  convicts,  &c. 

"  Many  of  the  convicts,  also,  are  unfit  for  labor  of 
any  kind  when  they  come  into  the  prison  ;  enervated 
by  intemperance,  and  with  constitutions  worn  out  by 
debauchery,  their  sickly  frames  are  a  long  time  an 
expense  to  the  institution  before  they  have  strength 
to  add  anything  to  its  income ;  and  often  the  term  of 
their  sentence  is  only  sufficient,  with  the  expense  of 
hospital  attendance,  to  restore  them  to  liberty  and 
society  in  better  health  than  they  were  when  commit- 
ted to  the  prison.  Some  are  useless  for  want  of  natu- 
ral talent ;  they  have  been  brought  up  idle,  and  it 
would  be  too  expensive  to  teach  them  a  trade,  even 
if  they  were  capable  of  learning  one.  Of  the  many 
who  are  sentenced  for  short  periods,  a  few  only,  who 
may  have  been  bred  to  the  trades  carried  on  within 
the  prison,  can  be  very  useful ;  and  as  to  those  who  are 
not  mechanics,  before  they  can  acquire  such  a  facility 
at  any  new  labor  as  to  be  profitable,  their  terms  expire, 
and  they  are  discharged.  * 

"  From  this  view  of  the  subject,  therefore,  it  will  be 
seen  that  but  a  small  proportion  of  the  numbers  con- 
fined in  this  prison  can  be  profitable  laborers ;  and  it 
cannot  reasonably  be  expected  that  these  few  should 
not  only  support  themselves,  but  their  idle  and  use- 


34  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

less  companions,  and  also  produce  a  revenue  equal  to 
the  other  great  charges  of  the  institution. 

"  One  great  difficulty  in  making  the  labor  of  the  con- 
victs productive  is  the  want  of  suitable  labor  to  employ 
them  upon.  Various  plans  have  been  adopted  since 
the  establishment  of  this  prison,  and  various  modes  of 
employment  have  been  tried,  to  increase  the  profit 
of  their  labor ;  different  trades  have  been  carried  on 
at  different  times,  and  the  experience  of  past  success 
or  damage  would  seem  to  point  out  the  most  advan- 
tageous employment  in  future  ;  but  here,  although  we 
have  a  useful  guide,  it  is  not  a  perfect  or  infallible 
one,  for  some  branches  of  manufacture,  which  the 
circumstances  of  the  times  rendered  profitable,  have 
fallen  into  decay  as  times  have  changed,  and  these 
circumstances  have  altered.  During  the  late  war,  the 
making  of  the  common  wood  screws  employed  from 
forty  to  fifty  of  "our  convicts  to  a  good  profit.  This 
business  is  now  wholly  dropped.  Weaving  has  also 
declined  ;  and  for  the  loss  in  these  and  such  other 
manufactures,  the  institution  is  obliged  to  resort  to 
new  trades,  and  search  for  new  employment.  Shoe- 
making  is  the  most  permanent  trade  which  has  been 
carried  on  in  the  prison :  as  this  is  an  extensive  occu- 
pation in  all  communities,  more  men  come  into  the 
prison  of  this  than  of  any  other  trade.  By  letting  these 
out  to  contractors  atf  forty  or  fifty  cents  per  day,  they 
have  usually  produced  a  good  revenue. 

u  The  policy  of  late  years  has  been  to  let  the  convicts 
of  any  trade  or  profession  to  contractors,  whenever  it 
can  be  done  at  forty  cents  per  day,  and  Tor  any  em- 
ployment which  such  contractors  may  choose  to  set 


.    HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  35 

them  about ;  and  this  method  has  been  found  invariably 
to  be  of  more  advantage  to  the  state  than  to  purchase 
stock,  and  sell  the  proceeds  of  their  labor.  A  single 
exception,  perhaps,  may  be  made  in  the  business  of 
hammering  stone.  This  is  an  experiment  that  has 
been  in  operation  about  a  year  and  a  half,  and  at 
present  bids  fair  to  be  of  profitable  issue. 

"  The  rough  stone  is  broken  from  their  bed  or  quarry 
near  the  banks  of  the  Mem  mac,  floated  down  the 
Middlesex  Canal,  and  landed  with  great  facility  on 
the  prison  wharf,  and  is  prepared  in  the  finest  manner 
by  the  convicts  for  building  purposes.  This  business 
was  commenced  above  six  years  ago  under  a  contract 
with  Messrs.  Bemis  &  Stearns  for  five  years,  by  which 
contract  the  prison  was  to  be  entitled  to  three  eighths  of 
the  proceeds  of  sales  for  the  labor  of  the  convicts  in 
hammering.  At  the  expiration  of  this  contract,  it  was 
not  thought  advisable  to  renew  it,  but  to  purchase  the 
rough  stone,  and  prepare  it  for  sale  for  the  sole  benefit 
of  the  state.  This  business  is  now  extending,  and,  as 
is  above  observed,  bids  fair  to  be  profitable. 

"  The  trades  now  in  operation  in  the  prison  are  shoe- 
making,  about  thirty  at  weaving  for  Mr.  Bemis,  of  Wa- 
tertown,  sixteen  at  brush  making,  five  at  coopering, 
four  at  cabinet  making,  sixteen  at  spike  and  nail  making 
on  prison  account,  and  about  thirty  at  stone  hammering. 

"  The  females  spin,  knit  socks,  mend  and  assist  in 
making  shirts.  Oakum  picking,  which  is  the  last 
poor  resort  when  there  is  nothing  better  to  do,  em- 
ploys a  large  number  of  old,  feeble,  and  indolent, 
who  can  be  useful  nowhere,  and  who  will  always  be 
a  burden  to  whatever  society  they  may  be  cast  upon.'1 


36  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

These  extracts  show  some  of  the  practical  difficul- 
ties in  the  way  of  making  the  prison  a  source  of 
income  to  the  state ;  but  much  has  been  learned  by 
experience,  and  the  system  now  adopted  seems  adapt- 
ed to  the  management  of  the  institution  with  as  little 
waste  and  as  much  profit  as  can  reasonably  be  expect- 
ed. The  desire  or  ambition  for  pecuniary  gain,  or 
even  the  meeting  of  actual  expenses,  should  never  be 
such  as  to  interfere  with  the  ends  of  true  justice,  or 

the  best  welfare  of  the  convicts. 

1815.  Official  honesty  was  not  universal,  even  in 
those  days  of  comparative  purity  in  public 
life  ;  for  we  find  by  the  records  of  this  year  that  two 
officers,  while  on  duty  in  the  night  time,  entered  the 
kitchen,  and  appropriated  to  their  own  use  a  quan- 
tity of  molasses,  served  out  for  the  use  of  the  prison, 
and  for  which  offence  they  were  ordered  to  be  pub- 
licly reprimanded  by  the  warden  in  presence  of  all  the 
officers. 

Reference  has  been  made  on  a  previous  page  to  the 
observance  of  Thanksgiving  Day  in  the  prison  —  a 
custom  wisely  observed  at  the  present  time.  A  simi- 
lar indulgence  was  granted  this  year ;  and  it  is  on 
record  that  at  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors,  it 
was  voted  "  that  the  warden  be  requested  to  permit  as 
many  of  the  officers  of  the  prison  to  participate  in  the 
celebration  of  the  restoration  of  peace  to  the  United 
States,  and  the  whole  Christian  world,  on  the  22d  of 
February,  as  the  state  of  the  prison  will  admit." 

The  collar,  clog,  and  chain  seem  to  have  been  favor- 
ite modes  of  severe  punishment,  for  instances  of  their 
use  are  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  records.  This 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  37 

year  it  appears  that,  one  of  the  convicts  having  com- 
mitted a  serious  assault  upon  two  of  his  fellow-prison- 
ers, it  was  ordered  "  that  he  wear  an  iron  collar  round 
his  neck  for  ninety  days,  and  a  clog  on  his  left  leg  for  six 
months,  and  that  during  the  whole  time  he  be  chained 
to  his  work-bench,  that  he  sleep  in  solitary  confine- 
ment for  six  months,  and  that  during  this  period  he 
receive  only  bread  and  water  for  his  supper ;  that  he 
be  brought  into  the  inner  yard  on  the  four  succeeding 
Saturdays,  between  the  hours  of  three  and  five  in  the 
afternoon,  and  be  placed  for  one  hour  on  an  elevated 
platform,  and  a  label  on  his  breast  with  these  words : 
'  For  stabbing  two  fellow-convicts  ; '  that  no  letters  pass 
to  or  from  him,  or  that  any  relation  or  friend  visit  him 
during  his  confinement,  or  any  convict  speak  to  him  ; 
and  in  case,  during  the  performance  of  any  part  of 
this  sentence,  he  be  guilty  of  any  misconduct,  such 
parts  of  the  sentence  as  has  been  inflicted  be  consid- 
ered as  null,  and  he  shall  be  held  to  suffer  the  same 
over  again." 

In  consequence  of  the  above  assault,  the  board  of 
directors  deemed  it  necessary  to  embody  in  a  report 
their  views  upon  prison  discipline.  It  was  the  first 
general  declaration  upon  the  subject  here  in  Massa- 
chusetts, and  some  of  the  ideas  advanced  have  stood 
the  test  of  time.  The  substance  of  this  report  will  be 

given  in  an  advance  chapter. 
1816.        James  Prince,  James  T.  Austin,  and  Caleb 

Bingham,  Esq.,  having  resigned  as  directors, 
Hon.  Josiah  Bartlett,  Joseph  Kurd,  and  George  G. 
Lee,  Esqs.,  succeeded  them.  Mr.  Lee  served  but  a 
part  of  the  year,  when  Benjamin  Weld,  Esq.,  was 
appointed. 


38  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

In  consequence  of  a  serious  insurrection,  in  which 
one  convict  was  killed  and  several  others  were  severely 
wounded,  and  repeated  attempts  to  escape,  it  became 
necessary  to  organize  a  military  guard  for  the  prison. 
This  consisted  of  one  sergeant,  two  corporals,  and 
twelve  privates,  to  be  enlisted  for  two  years.  Not- 
withstanding this  precaution,  within  two  weeks  after 
the  organization  of  this  guard,  a  convict,  who  had 
been  confined  twenty  days  in  a  solitary  cell  for  misde- 
meanors, was  missing  one  morning ;  the  room  was  se- 
cured as  usual,  and  nothing  in  it  was  disturbed.  The 
manner  of  his  escape  was  a  great  mystery  to  the  au- 
thorities at  the  time,  and  no  light  was  ever  thrown 
upon  it. 

1817  Hon.  Josiah  Bartlett  and  Joseph  Kurd,  Esq., 
retired  from  the  board  of  directors,  and  Tris- 
tram Barnard  and  Elias  Phinney,  Esqs.,  were  appoint- 
ed in  their  places. 

1818  Tristram   Barnard  resigned,   and  was  suc- 
ceeded on  the  board  of  directors  by  Nehemiah 

Freeman,  Esq.     The  military  guard  was  abolished. 

The  discipline  at  this  time  seems  to  have  been  very 
lax.  Escapes  were  numerous,  insubordination  and 
revolts  quite  frequent,  and,  in  consequence,  the  legis- 
lature passed  an  act  "  for  the  better  regulation  of  the 
State  Prison/'  A  portion  of  this  act  reads  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

u  Section  2.  That  if  any  convict  committed  to  said 
prison  shall  resist  the  authority  of  any  officer,  or  refuse 
to  obey  his  lawful  commands,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
such  officer  immediately  to  enforce  obedience,  and,  for 
that  purpose,  to  use  such  weapons  and  such  aid  as 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  39 

may  be  effectual ;  and  if  such  convict,  so  resisting, 
shall  be  wounded,  maimed,  or  slain  by  such  officer,  or 
his  assistants,  they  shall  be  held  guiltless. 

"  Section  4.  No  convict,  committed  to  said  prison, 
shall  be  entitled  to  his  discharge  therefrom  until  he 
shall  have  completed  the  full  term  of  time  for  which 
he  was  sentenced,  exclusive  of  the  time  he  may  have 
been  in  solitary  confinement  for  any  violation  or 
misconduct  of  the  regulations  of  the  prison. 

"  Section  5.  Whenever  any  person,  who  shall  be 
convicted  of  any  crime  the  punishment  of  which  is 
confinement  to  hard  labor  for  any  term  of  years,  shall 
have  been  before  sentenced  to  a  like  punishment,  he 
shall  be  sentenced  to  solitary  imprisonment  not  ex- 
ceeding thirty  days,  and  confined  to  hard  labor  ntft 
exceeding  seven  years,  in  addition  to  the  punishment 
for  the  offence  for  which  he  shall  be  tried  ;  and  in  case 
such  convict  shall  have  been  before  twice  convicted 
and  sentenced,  he  shall  be  punished  by  confinement  to 
hard  labor  for  life." 

"  Section  7.  The  directors  shall  divide  and  arrange 
the  convicts  into  three  general  classes,  as  they  shall  be 
distinguished  by  their  behavior  and  merit  in  regard 
to  cleanliness,  sobriety,  submission,  respectful  deport- 
ment towards  the  officers,  and  industry  and  faithful- 
ness in  their  work.  The  first  class  shall  consist  of 
those  who  are  the  most  orderly  and  meritorious,  and 
shall  be  dressed  in  cloth  of  the  quality  now  used,  but 
of  one  color  only  ;  and  they  shall  be  placed  in  the  most 
comfortable  lodging-rooms  at  night,  and  allowed  the 
use  of  lights  at  such  time  during  the  evening  as  the  di- 
rectors may  think  proper. 


4O  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

"  In  the  dress  of  the  second  class,  the  trousers  only 
shall  be  of  different  colors ;  and  they  shall  be  allowed 
lights  not  more  than  one  evening  in  a  week. 

"  The  dress  of  the  third  class  shall  be  that  now  in 
use  ;  and  they  shall  not  be  allowed  any  lights  at  night. 
And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  warden  to  keep  the  said 
classes  separate  at  night,  and  as  far  as  possible  during 
the  day ;  and  they  shall  not  speak  to  any  person  of  a 
different  class  without  permission  of  the  warden.  All 
convicts,  on  entering  the  prison,  shall  be  placed  in  the 
third  class,  from  which  they  may  be  advanced  to  the 
others  at  the  discretion  of  the  directors  upon  the  rec- 
ommendation of  the  warden  ;  and,  for  misconduct, 
shall  be  liable  in  like  manner  to  be  degraded.  And 
the  directors  shall  not  consider  an  application  to  rec- 
ommend for  pardon  any  convkt  who  shall  not  belong 
to  the  first  class. 

u  Section  8.  That  when  any  convict  shall  be  dis- 
charged who  shall  have  uniformly  conducted  well 
during  his  confinement,  the  directors  may  give  him  a 
recommendation,  or  assist  him  in  procuring  employ- 
ment, at  his  request,  if  they  shall  see  fit.  And  every 
convict,  previous  to  his  being  discharged  at  the  expira- 
tion of  his  sentence,  on  a  second  commitment,  shall 
have  the  letters  MASS.  S.  P.,  and  also  the  year •,  in  fig- 
ures, 'when  his  discharge  shall  take  place,  marked 
on  the  inner  surface  of  the  upper  part  of  his  left 
arm,  by  puncturing  the  skin,  and  rubbing  some  col- 
oring matter  on  the  same.9' 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  germ  of  what  constitutes 
the  famous  Irish  system  was  here  adopted  in  the  clas- 
sification of  the  convicts.  Had  the  law  stopped  here, 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH,  4! 

leaving  out  the  inhuman  and  barbarous  idea  of  stamp- 
ing indelibly  upon  a  convict  a  mark  of  disgrace  that 
neither  time  nor  repentance  could  efface  or  eradicate, 
and  nurtured  the  former,  we  should  probably  have 
reached  a  state  of  discipline  far  in  advance  of  what  we 
have  to-day.  Unfortunately,  the  classification,  which, 
I  should  judge,  was  never  judiciously  applied,  was 
finally  dropped,  and  a  system  of  severity  and  degrada- 
tion adopted  having  a  tendency  to  make  the  good  bad, 
and  the  bad  worse. 

In  the  classification  of  the  convicts,  it  was  arranged 
that  those  only  should  be  admitted  into  the  first  or 
highest  class  who  had  never  been  convicts  in  this  or 
any  other  state  prison  or  penitentiary  before,  and  who 
had  never  incurred  punishment  here,  and  who  had 
been  confined  in  the  prison  at  least  six  months. 

Sixty-five  were  selected  for  this  honor,  and  it  was 
ordered  that "  the  warden  cause  them  to  be  dressed  in 
the  clothes  prepared  for  them  ;  and  the  board  of  di- 
rectors will  meet  on  Sunday  at  eleven  o'clock,  when 
the  prisoners  are  assembled  in  the  chapel,  and  they  be 
addressed  by  the  chairman." 

One  hundred  and  twenty-six  convicts  were  selected 
for  the  second  class,  and  were  dressed  according 
to  law. 

The  years  1818,  '19,  '20  passed  without  anything  of 
especial  interest,  except  a  few  changes  in  officers. 
Thus,  in  1819,  John  Soley,  Esq.,  was  appointed  di- 
rector in  place  of  Benjamin  Weld,  Esq.,  resigned,  and, 
.in  1820,  James  T.  Austin,  Esq.,  was  appointed  to  fill 
the  vacancy  in  the  board  of  directors  caused  by  the 
death  of  Nehemiah  Freeman,  Esq. 


42  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

1821.  Four  convicts  having  escaped  from  the  pris- 
on, an  examination  was  made  of  the  cells  in 
which  they  were  confined  ;  and  there  were  found  two 
crowbars,  each  from  three  to  four  feet  long,  a  large 
grappling-iron,  a  sledge  or  stone  hammer,  and  sundry 
smaller  instruments,  by  means  of  which  a  large  stone 
had  been  loosened  from  its  bed  in  the  prison  wall,  and 
drawn  into  the  cell,  through  which  opening  they  made 
their  escape.  As  it  was  the  practice  then,  as  now,  to 
search  all  the  prisoners  previous  to  their  being  locked 
up,  it  was  quite  a  mystery  to  the  authorities  how  such 
tools  could  be  conveyed  to  their  cells  without  detec- 
tion. 

The  writer  has  often  been  surprised  at  finding  arti- 
cles of  a  similar  kind  in  the  cells  of  even  those  who 
were  kept  in  solitary  confinement ;  the  ingenuity  and 
skill  developed  on  such  occasions  are  truly  astonishing. 
At  the  time  of  writing  this  (1868),  a  convict  has  just 
escaped  from  the  prison  under  the  following  circum- 
stances :  He  occupied  a  cell  on  the  upper  tier,  the 
top  of  which  was  covered  with  stones  weighing  from 
six  to  twenty  hundred  pounds  each  ;  immediately  over 
the  door  was  one  of  the  smaller  size  ;  one  of  the  stones 
in  the  wall,  and  within  about  eight  inches  of  the  top, 
projected  a  little,  forming  a  slight  ledge.  He  in  some 
way  conveyed  to  his  cell,  and  concealed  in  it,  the 
screw  and  socket  of  an  old  vice,  which  had  been 
thrown  among  the  scrap-iron.  Placing  the  screw 
upon  the  ledge  on  the  wall,  and  pressing  against  the 
stone  above,  he  succeeded  in  raising  one  end  of  it  suf- 
ficiently to  admit  of  his  crawling  through  into  the 
attic  above,  breaking  a  joist  with  which  it  was  braced 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  43 

from  above,  knocking  a  hole  through  the  roof,,  and, 
with  a  rope  he  had  concealed,  letting  himself  down 
upon  the  wall,  and  thence  to  the  ground.  It  was  a 
slow  process,  requiring  time  and  patience,  and  his 
operations  must  be  concealed  from  the  inspecting 
officer.  He  was  assisted  in  this  by  a  shelf  about  a 
foot  wide,  placed  directly  underneath  the  stone,  for 
books,  &c.  But  to  make  it  more  secure,  he  smuggled 
into  his  cell  small  pieces  of  thin  board,  gluing  them 
together  in  the  precise  shape  of  the  stone  he  was  rais- 
ing, covering  one  side  with  mortar  to  represent  a  rough 
surface,  whitewashing  and  fitting  it  into  the  opening, 
thus  completely  concealing  his  work,  should  his  cell 
be  entered  during  the  day.  Success  crowned  his 
efforts  on  a  Sunday  night  between  the  hours  of  twelve 
and  one  —  an  achievement  which  proved  conclusively 
that  he  possessed  not  only  patience  and  perseverance, 
but  an  indomitable  will,  which,  had  it  been  rightly 
directed,  would  have  insured  honor  and  a  competency 
in  almost  any  walk  or  position  in  life. 

On  the  5th  of  November  of  this  year,  another  bold, 
but  unsuccessful  attempt  to  escape  from  the  prison 
was  made,  terminating  in  the  murder  of  one,  and  seri- 
ous injury  of  another  convict.  The  occupants  of  one 
of  the  cells,  ten  in  number,  succeeded  in  breaking  the 
fastening  of  their  door,  and  gaining  admission  to  the 
passage-way  ;  they  were  discovered,  secured,  and 
placed  in  the  lower  arch  ;  one  of  the  number,  a  negro, 
called  Billy  Williams,  in  consequence  of  previous  good 
conduct,  and  having  but  a  few  days  to  remain  in 
prison,  it  was  supposed  was  an  involuntary  agent  in 
the  affair,  and  was  released  the  next  morning,  and 


44  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

sent  to  the  yard  to  work.  On  the  morning  of  the  8th, 
at  the  moment  the  prisoners  were  turned  out,  he  was 
assaulted  and  beaten,  his  arm  and  leg  broken,  and  his 
skull  fractured,  from  which  wounds  he  died  on  the 
1 5th.  Another  convict,  named  White,  was  also  as- 
saulted at  the  same  time,  but  his  life  was  saved  by  the 
interference  of  an  officer,  at  the  imminent  hazard  of 
his  own.  The  cause  of  the  assault  was  a  belief  among 
the  convicts  that  Williams  and  White  had  betrayed 
the  plan  of  escape. 

Here  arose  a  serious  question.  The  homicide  of 
Williams  was  not  witnessed  by  an  officer,  and  could 
only  be  proved  by  convicts,  who  were  not  allowed  to 
testify  unless  they  were  restored  to  citizenship  by  a 
full  pardon :  the  pardon  must  necessarily  be  issued 
before  the  trial,  and  could  not  be  revoked  should  the 
party  then  refuse,  or  testify  differently  from  what  was 
expected.  Again,  many  pretended  to  know  all  of  the 
particulars,  and  vied  with  each  other  in  presenting  the 
most  plausible  story. 

The  board  of  directors  voted  that  all  the  convicts 
of  the  first  class  be  degraded  on  the  3d  of  December, 
unless  before  that  time  a  full  and  satisfactory  dis- 
closure of  all  the  circumstances  attending  the  affair 
was  made,  and  the  usual  Thanksgiving  indulgence 
be  withheld,  unless  before  that  day  the  combination 
existing  among  the  prisoners  to  conceal  the  perpetra- 
tors and  instigators  was  communicated  to  the  warden. 

This  vote  was  not  carried  into  execution  in  cop- 
sequence  of  the  information  given,  and  the  exertion 
made  by  the  convicts  to  bring  the  real  criminals  to 
justice.  Samuel  Green  and  Howard  Trask  were  tried 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  45 

for  the  murder.     Trask  was  acquitted,  and  Green  con- 
victed, and  hung  on  Boston  Neck. 

1822.  An  effort  was  made  this  year  to  introduce 
the  Tread  Mill,  under  the  name  of  the  step- 
ping or  discipline  mill.     The  warden  was  directed  to 
obtain  information  from   New  York  in  regard  to  it. 
The  power  obtained  was  applied  to  grinding  corn, 
but  it   having   been  ascertained  that  the  men,  upon 
an    average,   could  not   grind    over  one   bushel    per 
day,  the  project  was  deemed  too  expensive,  and  was 

dropped. 

1823.  Frequent  allusions  are  made,  in  the  records 
of  this  year,  to  a  school  in  the  prison.     The 

only  fact  I  can  obtain  in  regard  to  it  is,  that  it  was 
attended  by  about  sixty  of  the  convicts.  Permission 
was  also  granted  to  about  thirty  of  them  to  meet-  to- 
gether in  the  chapel  for  prayer-meetings.  How  long 
they  were  continued,  and  why  given  up,  cannot  now 
be  ascertained. 

1824.  Notwithstanding     the    unusual   precautions 
taken  by  the  appointment  of  extra  officers,  and 

in  strengthening  the  prison,  escapes  therefrom  were 
frequent,  and  insubordination  and  revolts  not  un- 
common. 

That  such  a  state  of  affairs  should  exist  is  not  sur- 
prising, when  we  consider  that  the  convicts  were 
confined  in  cells,  numbering  from  six  to  sixteen  in 
each,  giving  them  every  opportunity  to  scheme  and 
plan  mischief,  and  force  sufficient  to  encourage,  if  not 
insure  success  :  reformation  under  such  circumstances 
was  not  only  impossible,  but  demoralization  and  cor* 
ruptiori  almost  certain. 

There  seems  to  have  been  some  difference  of  opin- 


46  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

ion  between  the  warden  and  directors  at  this  period. 
In  a  letter  to  the  governor,  the  latter  say,  that  "  the 
want  of  cordiality  and  agreement  between  the  direct- 
ors and  warden  of  this  institution  has  made  it  im- 
possible to  conduct  its  affairs  with  advantage  to  the 
public." 

This  disagreement  may  be  attributedy  to  some  ex- 
tent, to  the  indisposition  of  the  warden,  under  which 
he  had  been  laboring  for  several  months,  and  which 
terminated  fatally  a  few  months  later.  Mr.  Bradford 
died  on  the  7th  of  March,  having  held  the  office 
twelve  years,  the  longest  term  of  any  warden.  Wil- 
liam H.  Lane,  the  clerk,  was  appointed  to  act  as 
warden  until  the  vacancy  should  be  filled  by  the 
governor. 

On  the  yth  of  July  of  this  year,  Thomas  Harris, 
Esq.,  was  appointed  warden  by  the  governor  to  fill 
the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Gamaliel  Bradford, 
Esq.,  who  had  held  the  position  for  four  years. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  ingenuity  sometimes  dis- 
played by  convicts  in  effecting  their  escape  from  the 
pnson,  one  of  them,  this  year,  concealed  himself  in 
the  seat  of  a  sofa,  and  was  carried  through  the  gate 

with  the  furniture. 

1825.  Hon.  William  C.  Jarvis  was  appointed  a  di- 
rector, in  the  place  of  Colonel  James  T.  Austin, 
resigned.  Another  dishonest  officer  appears  this  year 
on  the  record.  He  was  detected  in  an  arrangement 
by  which  he  furnished  a  convict  with  one  dollar  bank 
bills,  which  he  ingeniously  altered  into  tens  and  one 
hundreds,  which  were  disposed  of  by  the  officer — a 
bold  and  ingenious  trick,  which  would  do  credit  to 
roo-nes. 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  47 

Lehigh  coal  was  used,  for  the  first  time,  this  year ; 
probably  being  found  more  convenient,  as  well  as  less 
expensive. 

1827.  At  a  meeting  of  the  directors  it  was  voted, 
"  that  the  chaplain  be  requested   to  procure 

fifty  copies  of  the  confession  of  Colson,  lately  executed, 
and  distribute  the  same  among  the  convicts." 

1828.  In  consequence  of  the  misunderstanding  be- 
tween the   warden  and   directors,  —  probably 

growing  out  of  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  re- 
spective duties  of  each,  —  an  appeal  was  made  to  the 
governor ;  and  finally  the  whole  subject  was  referred 
to  the  legislature,  and  resulted  in  the  passage  of  an 
act  abolishing  the  board  of  directors,  and  establishing 
a  board  of  inspectors,  to  consist  of  three  members,  to 
be  appointed  by  the  governor,  for  three  years,  and  so 
arranged  that  one  should  go  out  each  year,  and  be  in- 
eligible to  reappointment  for  one  year. 

The  act  defined  more  particularly  the  duties  of 
different  officers,  and  also  created  the  office  of  deputy 
warden.  Under  this  law,  Hon.  F.  C.  Gray,  Hon. 
Sherman  Leland,  and  Hon.  Seth  Knowles  were 
appointed  inspectors ;  Mr.  Harris  was  retained  as 
warden,  but  remained  only  a  few  months,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  William  Austin,  Esq.,  and  Charles 
Lincoln,  Jr.,  was  appointed  deputy  warden. 

In  their  first  report  to  the  governor,  the  inspectors 
say  that,  "  in  their  opinion,  the  whole  system  of  govern- 
ment within  the  prison  —  that  is,  not  the  laws  them- 
selves, but  the  mode  of  administering  them  —  ought 
to  be  changed  as  speedily  as  possible." 

1829.  The   new  prison,  called  the  North  Wing, 


4$  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

was  finished  and  occupied  on  the  3d  of  October  of  this 
year,  and  the  present  system  adopted. 

The  building  was  two  hundred  feet  long  by  forty-six 
wide,  and  constructed  of  granite.  The  space  between 
the  exterior  wall  and  the  block  of  cells  was  nine  feet, 
and  was  open  to  the  top  of  the  ceiling.  There  were  four 
stones  of  cells  on  each  side  of  the  block,  each  story 
containing  thirty-eight  cells,  making,  in  all,  three 
hundred  and  four.  Each  cell  was  seven  feet  long,  seven 
feet  high,  and  three  feet  and  a  half  wide.  The  doors 
were  of  wrought  iron,  with  gratings  in  the  upper  part, 
and  were  fastened  by  a  compound  lever  lock,  and  a 
bar,  which  moved  horizontally,  and  secured  the  door 
at  the  top. 

The  passage  to  the  cells  was  by  flights  of  steps  at  the 
south  end,  along  a  gallery,  which  was  composed  of 
granite  stones,  four  feet  wide,  set  into  the  wall  twelve 
inches,  and  supported  by  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight 
cast-iron  pillars,  with  iron  railings  on  the  three  upper 
stories.  In  the  exterior  wall  was  a  small  window,  op- 
posite each  cell  door,  in  the  three  upper  ranges,  on 
each  side,  which  admitted  light  sufficient  to  enable  the 
convicts  to  read  in  all  the  cells.  The  whole  number 
of  windows  in  the  sides  and  ends  of  the  building  was 
two  hundred  and  forty-five,  and  there  were  also  twenty 
skylight  windows  in  the  roof.  The  window  openings 
were  all  well  secured  by  iron  gratings.  There  were 
five  ventilating  and  four  flue  chimneys,  all  of  granite. 
Through  the  casings  of  the  skylights  and  the  chimneys 
were  apertures  for  ventilating  the  cells  and  the  area  of 
the  prison  between  the  block  of  cells  and  the  exterior 
wall.  Thus  an  area  of  nine  feet  wide,  and  six  feet 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  49 

without  the  galleries,  presented  itself  from  the  ground 
flooring  to  the  upper  cells,  admitting  of  a  view  of  every 
door  and  gallery  on  either  side  of  the  prison.  An  in- 
spection gallery  was  erected  about  the  centre  of  the 
external  wall,  on  each  side  of  the  prison,  upon  which 
officers  were  placed  when  the  convicts  marched  out 
or  into  their  cells,  and  who,  by  the  height  of  their  posi- 
tion, could  see  every  convict  enter  or  leave  his  cell. 
On  the  north  end  of  the  area,  and  elevated  fourteen 
feet  above  the  hall  floor,  was  a  chamber  erected  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  officer  of  the  night  guard  not 
on  duty.  The  hall,  or  area,  and  the  cells,  were  warmed 
by  four  coal  stoves.  Each  cell  had  an  aperture  open- 
ing into  the  air-flue,  for  purposes  of  ventilation  and  the 
passage  of  warm  air  through  the  cell.  Water  was  sup- 
plied for  the  use  of  the  prisoners  while  in  their  cells, 
and  also  for  cooking  purposes,  by  means  of  a  forcing- 
pump  and  pipe,  leading  from  a  well  near  the  centre 
of  the  back  side  of  the  new  prison.  Means  were  estab- 
lished, by  signal-bells,  of  securing  communication,  at 
all  times,  between  the  solitary  prison  and  hospital, 
with  the  guard-room.  The  hall,  or  area  of  the  prison, 
was  constantly  lighted  during  the  night. 

On  the  north-western  front  of  the  new  prison,  com- 
mencing seventy-one  feet  south  of  the  entrance,  and 
extending  seventy-one  feet  north,  to  within  thirty  feet 
of  the  end  of  the  building,  was  the  cookery,  porch,  bar- 
ber's shop,  and  chapel,  thirty  feet  wide  and  one  story 
high,  built  of  granite,  with  a  slated  roof,  and  with  iron 
gratings  to  the  front  and  end  windows,  and  to  the  sky- 
lights in  the  roof.  The  kitchen  had  a  bakery,  a  cis- 
tern which  contained  four  thousand  gallons  of  rain 
4 


5O  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

water,  also  a  reservoir,  to  contain  two  thousand  gal- 
lons of  well  water,  the  latter  supplied  by  the  forcing- 
pump. 

The  cooking  was  performed  by  steam,  and  an  iron 
boiler,  with  four  large  wooden  tubs  attached,  was  made 
use  of  for  that  purpose.  Three  large  iron  boilers,  or 
kettles,  v/ere  also  set  in  brick-work,  to  be  used  when- 
ever the  steam  boiler  might  need  repairs.  The  fuel 
used  in  the  steam  boiler  was  the  Schuylkill  coal. 
Four  tables  stood  in  the  kitchen,  for  the  purpose  of 
arranging  the  dishes  containing  the  food,  and  from 
which  they  were  pushed  through  openings  in  the  wall 
to  the  porch  tables,  to  be  taken  off  by  the  convicts  as 
they  marched  through  the  porch  into  the  prison.  This 
porch  was  nine  feet  wide,  and  afforded  the  only  en- 
trance into  the  prison.  From  the  porch  was  also  the 
entrance  into  the  barber's  shop,  and  chapel,  and  the 
kitchen.  The  chapel  seated  about  three  hundred  and 
twenty  convicts,  with  sufficient  additional  room  for 
the  officers  and  twenty  or  thirty  visitors. 

Passing  out  of  the  prison,  on  the  right,  and  facing 
the  south-west,  was  a  line  of  brick  workshops,  one  story 
high,  and  extending  about  three  hundred  and  twenty 
feet  to  the  north-west,  and  varying  from  twenty-five  to 
forty-two  feet  in  width.  In  one  of  the  shops  was  a  steam 
engine,  used  to  carry  a  lathe  for  turning  wood-work, 
for  sawing,  and  other  purposes.  Directly  in  front  of 
the  prison,  and  at  the  distance  of  about  one  hundred 
feet  from  the  chapel,  were  two  wooden  buildings,  ad- 
joining each  other,  and  occupied  by  the  stone-cutters. 
These  were  each  one  hundred  and  forty  feet  long  and 
forty-five  feet  wide.  At  the  north-westerly  end  of  the 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  51 

stone  sheds,  and  about  forty-seven  feet  distant,  was  a 
canal  or  basin,  with  a  lock-gate  in  the  north-west  part 
of  the  prison  yard,  into  which  the  salt  water  flowed  at 
every  tide,  and  through  which  boats  could  pass  with 
wood  or  stone  from  the  bay  which  washes  the  whole 
north-west  end  of  the  wall*  In  this  canal  or  basin  the 
convicts  were  permitted  to  bathe  occasionally  in  the 
warm  season.  It  was  located  about  midway  between 
the  sides  of  the  yard  wall,  and  was  built  of  granite, 
with  a  culvert  passing  through  the  yard  vault,  and 
under  the  wall,  emptying  the  contents  into  the  bay  on 
the  north-east  side  of  the  wall. 

The  entrance  to  the  main  or  prison  yard  was  by  twa 
large  gates  on  the  south-west  front.  The  easternmost 
gate  was  the  common  entrance  from  the  street,  and  the 
western  from  the  prison  wharf.  There  were  two  gates 
at  each  entrance,  only  one  of  which  was  opened  at  a 
i  time,  thereby  forming  a  lock,  and  rendering  the  prison 
yard  perfectly  secure  during  the  ingress  or  egress  of 
teams.  Foot  passengers  entered  the  yard  through  the 
guard-room.  The  hospital  was  located  in  the  fourth 
story  of  the  east  wing  of  the  old  prison. 

The  estimated  cost  of  the  old  establishment  was  about 
$170,000;    the  cost  of  the  new  prison,  chapel,  and 
cookery,  about  $86,000 ;   and  that  of  the  other  build-  ' 
ings,  erected  or  enlarged,  about  $8,000. 

The  new  prison  is  supposed  to  contain  about  eleven 
thousand  tons  of  granite,  twenty  tons  of  cast  iron,  and 
forty-five  tons  of  wrought  iron. 

The  building  of  this  prison,  and  the  introduction  of 
the  new  discipline,  marked  an  era  in  the  history  of  the 
institution  more  important,  perhaps,  than  any  that  has 


52  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

occurred  before  or  since.  The  foregoing  description 
of  the  building  and  surroundings  at  that  time  are 
here  introduced,  for  the  purpose  not  only  of  preserv- 
ing the  old  landmarks,  but  of  contrasting  them  with 
the  present. 

Theie  was  in  the  kitchen  a  cistern  of  the  capacity 
of  four  thousand  gallons  of  rain  water ;  also  a  reser- 
voir of  the  capacity  of  two  thousand  gallons.  How 
long  the  above  supply  would  last  does  not  appear 
from  the  records ;  probably  several  days.  The  daily 
consumption  now  (1868)  is  thirty  thousand  gallons. 
The  old  chapel  would  seat  about  three  hundred  and 
twenty  convicts  ;  the  present  one  upwards  of  six  hun- 
dred. The  workshops  were  but  one  story  in  height ; 
now  from  two  to  three.  In  one  was  "  a  steam  engine, 
used  to  carry  a  lathe  for  turning  wood,  sawing,  and 
other  purposes."  Now  there  are  three  engines,  two 
of  thirty  and  one  of  sixty  horse-power,  driving  hun- 
dreds of  lathes,  and  machines  of  various  kinds.  Other 
improvements,  relating  more  particularly  to  the  sani- 
tary condition  of  the  prison,  will  be  referred  to  in 
another  portion  of  this  volume. 

The  original  plan  was,  that  the  convicts  should  labor 
in  silence  through  the  day  in  the  workshops,  but  be 
separated  at  meal-time  and  at  night.  The  details  of 
the  system  of  discipline  at  this  time  will  be  discussed 
in  another  place. 

Hon.  Charles  Wells  was  appointed  (1829)  inspec- 
tor in  place  of  Hon.  Seth  Knowles,  whose  term  had 

expired. 

1832.         Mr.  Austin  resigned  the  office  of  warden, 
having  served  in  that  capacity  four  years,  and 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH.  53 

Charles  Lincoln,  Jr.,  Esq.,   former   deputy   warden, 
was  appointed  by  the  governor  as  his  successor. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  August,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-one  convicts  were  seized  with  a  dis- 
ease, which  the  physicians  said  Was  not  spasmodic, 
nor  the  ordinary  cholera  of  the  season,  but  peculiar  in 
its  character,  and  produced  by  some  unknown  cause. 
Thinking  that  it  might  possibly  be  in  the  food,  Pro- 
fessor John  W.  Webster,  of  Harvard  College,  was 
employed  to  analyze  it ;  but  he  reported  that  he  dis- 
covered nothing  poisonous  in  any  of  the  articles. 

Fortunately  none  of  the  cases  proved  fatal. 
1834.        Jonas    Pierce,    alias   George   Walton,    was 

committed  to  the  prison  on  a  sentence  of  twen- 
ty years,  for  a  felonious  assault  Walton  was  probably 
one  of  the  most  accomplished  and  desperate  charac- 
ters that  was  ever  known  in  the  state.  He  was  also 
charged  with,  and  no  doubt  guilty  of,  several  highway 
robberies  committed  in  the  most  public  places,  and  in 
the  most  daring  and  successful  manner,  the  penalty  at 
that  time  being  death.  His  body  was  covered  with 
scars,  one  of  wrhich  was  in  consequence  of  a  gun-shot 
wound  received  in  an  attempt  to  escape  from  the  New 
Hampshire  State  Prison.  He  stated  to  the  officers, 
when  committed,  that  neither  this  nor  any  other  prison 
in  the  country  was  strong  enough  to  hold  him,  and  as 
there  were  several  capital  offences  hanging  over  him, 
he  should  take  an  early  opportunity  to  leave. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  having  been  detected  in 
an  attempt  to  carry  his  threat  into  execution,  he 
was  placed  in  a  cell  in  the  second  arch  of  the  west 
wing  for  safe  keeping,  from  which  he  escaped,  /*  the 


54  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

following  September,  by  removing  to  one  side  the 
centre  stone  between  the  two  openings  for  windows, 
thus  making  a  passage  of  about  nine  inches,  through 
which  he  passed.  The  stone  removed  weighed  at 
least  two  thousand  pounds,  and  was  strongly  clamped 
with  iron.  He  accomplished  a  feat  thought  to  be 
impossible  for  one  man  to  achieve,  even  with  all 
desirable  tools  and  implements. 

In  extending  the  west  wing,  in  1867,  to  make  room 
for  additional  cells,  the  writer  had  some  experience  in 
this  matter,  having  occasion  to  remove  twelve  or  four- 
teen of  these  same  stones  ;  and  in  no  one  case  could 
the  most  experienced  workmen,  with  all  the  power 
they  could  bring  to  bear  upon  them,  start  a  single  one, 
but  in  every  instance  were  obliged  to  drill  and  split 
them  into  pieces  before  they  could  remove  them. 

Walton  was  captured  the  following  March,  after  a 
desperate  resistance,  by  Mr.  Richard  Nichols  and 
Sumner  Ay  re,  two  officers  of  the  prison,  who  acci- 
dentally met  him  on  Cambridge  Street  in  Boston.  He 
had  several  additional  scars  upon  his  person,  showing 
that  he  had  not  been  idle  during  his  absence  from  the 
prison.  When  asked  his  reasons  for  returning  to 
Boston,  he  replied  that  he  had  made  the  other  places 
he  had  visited  too  hot  to  hold  him. 

He  was  taken  to  Dedham  twice  to  be  tried  for  high- 
way robbery,  but  the  jury  failed  to  agree.  His  consti- 
tution was  now  considerably  broken  down  and  shat- 
tered ;  he  seemed  to  resign  all  hope  of  again  escap- 
ing, and  soon  after  died. 

On  the  28th  of  February  of  this  year,  Marvin  Mar* 
cy,  Jr.,  was  received  on  a  sentence  for  life,  for  arson. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  55 

« 

On  the  evening  of  Monday,  August  n,  of  the  pre- 
vious year,  the  Ursuline  Convent  on  Mount  Benedict, 
then  within  the  limits  of  Charlestown,  was  destroyed 
by  a  mob.  For  some  days  previous,  rumors  had  been 
circulated  in  regard  to  a  young  lady,  said  to  be  con- 
fined in  the  building  against  her  will.  The  rumors 
spread  like  wildfire,  and  lost  nothing  in  interest  and 
sensational  material  as  they  passed  from  one  to  an- 
other ;  the  community  became  greatly  excited,  and, 
on  the  evening  above,  people  in  crowds  repaired  to 
the  vicinity  of  the  building,  and,  with  loud  threats, 
demanded  the  release  of  the  young  woman.  The 
Lady  Superior  appeared  at  a  window,  and  endeavored 
to  reason  with  them  ;  but  mobs  do  not  listen  to  rea- 
son. She  unfortunately  let  fall  an  expression  that  had 
a  tendency  to  stimulate  rather  than  allay  the  excite- 
ment, and  the  cry  instantly  broke  forth  from  the  infu- 
riated multitude,  "  Burn  the  building ! "  "  Set  it  on 
fire  ! "  Instantly  hundreds  sprang  forward  to  carry 
the  threat  into  execution  ;  the  doors  were  broken  in, 
the  windows  demolished,  and  a  scene  of  confusion  and 
terror  arose  difficult  to  describe. 

The  building  was  occupied  in  part  as  a  school  for 
young  ladies  and  children,  most  of  whom  had  retired 
for  the  night.  They  were  compelled  to  rise,  and  were 
hurriedly  driven  from  the  building,  and,  after  a  care- 
ful examination  to  see  that  all  were  out,  it  was  set  on 
fire  in  several  places  and  burned  to  the  ground. 

From  its  elevated  situation,  the  flames  could  be  seen 
for  miles  in  every  direction.  An  alarm  of  fire  was 
sounded,  and  the  firemen,  with  their  engines,  repaired 
to  the  scene ;  but  not  a  drop  of  water  was  allowed  to 
be  thrown  upon  the  flames. 


56  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

Several  parties  were  arrested  and  tried ;  one  only, 
this  boy  Marcy,  was  convicted  and  sentenced  as  above. 
It  seemed  such  a  mockery  of  justice,  that,  out  of  the 
thousands  who  were  present  aiding,  either  directly  or 
indirectly,  in  the  riot,  this  boy  should  be  the  only 
one  punished,  that  a  petition,  signed,  I  believe,  by  the 
Bishop,  Lady  Superior  of  the  convent,  and  others  more 
or  less  interested  in,  or  connected  with  the  building, 
was  presented  to  the  governor  for  his  release,  and  he 
was  pardoned  on  the  9th  of  the  following  October. 

Thirty-three  years  have  flown,  and  the  ruins  remain 
in  the  same  condition  in  which  they  were  left  by  the 
flames  and  the  mob. 

The  summits  of  two  beautiful  eminences,  within  a 
cannon's  shot  of  each  other,  overlooking  a  panorama 
not  to  be  surpassed,  if  equalled,  in  the  country,  are 
crowned  with  monuments,  the  one  rearing  its  granite 
head  far  into  the  clouds,  proclaiming  freedom  to  the 
world,  —  the  other,  an  emblem  of  desolation,  speaking, 
in  mute  but  unmistakable  language,  of  the  terrible,  but 
unjustifiable,  indignation  of  a  mob  against  supposed 

restriction  on  human  freedom. 

1839.  It  seems  somewhat  strange  for  us,  in  these 
comparatively  quiet  times,  to  look  back  and 
contemplate  the  precaution  deemed  necessary,  at  this 
period,  to  prevent  and  subdue  "  insurrections,  assaults 
upon  officers,  or  attempts  to  escape."  The  following 
were  the  instructions  to  the  officers  on  such  occa- 
sions :  — 

t;  As  such  events  have  occurred  under  the  former 
discipline  of  the  prison,  it  may  be  expedient  to  provide 
for  the  recurrence  of  them,  so  far  as  to  adopt  meas- 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  57 

ures  for  the  safety  of  those  convicts  who  may  be  dis- 
posed to  continue  orderly,  as  well  as  for  the  direction 
of  the  officers,  that  they  may  always  be  prepared  for 
such  contingencies. 

u  In  case. of  riot  or  commotion,  the  guard-room  bell 
will  be  rung  for  divisions  to  form. 

"  The  officers  will  order  their  men  to  fall  into  the 
ranks :  such  as  obey  they  will  march  to  the  parade- 
ground,  cause  to  take  up  buckets  and  to  proceed  to 
the  cells  and  to  be  locked  in.  Each  convict  will  bolt 
his  door  as  he  enters.  The  officer  will  secure  the 
horizontal  bar,  .and  then  pass  down  the  gallery  and 
ascertain  the  number  of  men  he  has  locked  up,  and 
report  the  same  to  the  deputy  or  warden  the  first  suit- 
able opportunity.  In  the  mean  time  the  walls  will  be 
doubly  manned  by  the  watchmen,  and  the  signal  for 
officers  to  repair  to  the  prison,  if  they  shall  be  absent, 
must  be  made. 

u  The  clerk  will  remain  in  the  warden's  room,  in 
charge  of  the  same. 

"  Watchman  4  or  9  will  assist  the  officer  in  the 
guard-room,  and  have  the  arms  in  readiness.  The 
officer  of  the  guard-room  will  lock  the  inside  door, 
leading  to  the  back  or  prison  yard,  and  keep  the  other 
door  secured  with  the  bolt,  but  be  ready  to  admit  the 
officers  into  the  lock  between  the  two  doors  at  any 
moment. 

"  The  officer  in  charge  of  the  kitchen  will  have  the 
fire  under  the  steam  boiler  extinguished,  order  the 
cooks,  washers,  and  others  to  join  their  divisions,  as 
they  pass  through  the  porch  into  the  prison,  lock  the 
porch  gates  and  retire  to  the  guard-room,  with  the 


58  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

other  officers  who  may  be  in  the  yard,  and  await  or- 
ders. Before  leaving  the  porch,  the  inner  door  may 
be  locked  inside,  and  the  key  passed  out  by  the  confi- 
dential prison  waiter. 

"  When  any  of  the  rioters  shall  wish  to  submit  and 
avoid  being  injured,  they  will  signify  it  by  laying  aside 
every  kind  of  weapon,  quitting  their  associates,  and 
walking  with  their  heads  uncovered,  and  in  a  stooping 
posture,  to  the  parade-ground,  where  they  will  cover 
and  sit  upon  their  buckets,  so  as  to  expose  themselves 
as  little  as  possible  to  injury  from  the  assault  that 
will  be  made  on  those  who  shall  persist  in  riotous 
conduct. 

"  Should  a  convict  be  seen  to  raise  a  deadly  weapon 
upon,  or  to  pursue  or  throw  stones  or  other  missiles 
at  an  officer  or  other  person  employed  within  the 
precincts  of  this  prison,  with  the  obvious  design  to 
strike  or  wound  such  officer  or  other  person,  or  should 
a  convict  attempt  to  scale  the  walls,  or  in  any  other 
way  to  effect  his  escape,  or  to  set  fire  to  any  building, 
thing,  or  place,  or  be  out  of  his  cell  in  the  night  time, 
it  will  be  the  duty  of  any  officer  of  the  prison  to  fire 
on  and  wound  or  kill  such  convict,  if  the  danger  be 
imminent,  first,  however,  commanding  the  convict 
to  return  or  desist,  as  the  case  may  be,  if  practi- 
cable." 

1840.  The  shower-bath  was  this  year  introduced, 
as  a  mode  of  punishment,  into  the  prison  ;  as 
it  has  become  somewhat  notorious  in  other  states,  and 
its  use  led  to  serious  results  here,  it  may  be  interesting 
to  some  to  know  the  practical  working  of  this  infernal 
machine. 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  59 

The  convict,  after  being  divested  of  his  clothing, 
was  seated  in  a  small  closet,  his  legs,  arms,  and  neck 
closely  confined  in  wooden  stocks,  rendering  it  impos- 
sible for  him  to  move  or  change  his  position  in  the 
slightest  degree ;  the  water,  which  fell  six  or  eight 
feet,  could  be  let  on  in  small  or  large  quantities  at  the 
will  of  the  operator,  usually  varying  from  half  a  barrel 
to  four  barrels.  This  mode  of  punishment  is  still  prac- 
tised in  some  of  the  prisons  in  other  states,  although 
it  has  been  unquestionably  proved  to  be  injurious  in 
many  cases,  and  sometimes  fatal.  It  is,  perhaps,  the 
most  inhuman  form  of  punishment  inflicted  in  modern 
days  ;  and  there  seems  to  be  no  reason  for  its  being  so 
frequently  resorted  to  at  this  period,  with  the  lash, 
ball  and  chain,  and  solitary  confinement  also  in  con- 
stant use. 

Among  the  convicts  frequently  subjected  to  this  and 
other  punishments  was  one  Abner  Rogers,  Jr.,  serv- 
ing a  sentence  of  five  years  for  larceny,  and  six  months 
for  being  a  second  comer.  On  the  I4th  of  June,  1843, 
Rogers,  for  making  a  noise  in  the  solitary  cell,  where 
he  was  confined  for  punishment,  was  taken  out,  show- 
ered, and  sent  to  his  own  room  ;  the  next  day,  for  re- 
peating the  offence,  he  was  showered  again,  and  sent 
to  his  shop  to  work.  About  half  past  five  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  Mr.  Lincoln,  in  com- 
pany with  a  gentleman  from  Boston,  was  passing 
through  the  shop,  when  Rogers  suddenly  sprang  upon 
and  stabbed  him  in  the  neck  with  a  shoe-knife,  killing 
him  instantly.  Rogers  was  immediately  secured, 
heavily  ironed,  and  placed  in  one  of  the  cells  of  the 
old  prison  for  safe  keeping. 


60  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  an  act  so  atrocious  and 
terrible  threw  all  connected  with  the  institution  into 
great  anguish,  and  filled  the  community  with  deep 
sorrow. 

On  the  Sunday  following,  appropriate  services  were 
held  in  the  prison  chapel ;  the  late  Rev.  Louis  Dwight, 
secretary  of  the  Prison  Discipline  Society,  made  the 
prayer,  which  was  followed  by  a  deeply  solemn  and 
touching  discourse  by  the  chaplain,  Rev.  Jared  Curtis. 
The  coffin  containing  the  body  of  the  warden,  having 
been  placed  in  the  prison  yard,  the  convicts  moved 
from  the  chapel  in  slow  and  sad  procession  by  the 
corpse,  taking  a  last  farewell  look  of  him  who  had 
filled  so  important  a  position  in  the  history  of  the 
prison.  The  scene  is  represented  as  deeply  impres 
sive,  and  called  from  many  of  the  prisoners  expres- 
sions of  grief,  mingled  with  tears  of  sorrow  and  sym- 
pathy for  his  bereaved  and  heart-broken  widow  and 
family. 

The  convict  Rogers  was  taken  from  his  cell  and 
led  to  the  corpse  of  the  warden  while  it  was  in  the 
yard.  He  immediately  recognized  it,  and  said,  "  It  is 
the  warden.  O,  dear  !  Have  I  killed  him?  Can  it  be?" 
Though  he  did  not  shed  a  tear,  nor  exhibit  any  marks 
of  penitence,  yet  he  appeared  to  tremble  at  the  sight, 
and  shrank  with  horror  from  its  deathly  gaze  when 
requested  to  put  his  hand  upon  it. 

Rogers  was  the  last  man  showered  in  the  institu- 
tion. He  was  tried  for  the  murder.  George  T.  Big- 
elow,  Esq.,  since  chief  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  this  state,  was  his  counsel.  He  was  acquitted  on 
£he  ground  of  insanity,  and  sent  to  the  Insane  Hos- 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  6l 

pital  at  Worcester,  where  he,  a  few  months  later,  com- 
mitted suicide  by  throwing  himself  from  an  upper 
window,  thus  verifying  the  wisdom  of  the  verdict  of 
the  jury. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  a  remarkable  man  in  many  re- 
spects ;  he  had  been  connected  with  the  prison  more 
than  fifteen  years,  four  as  deputy  and  eleven  as  warden. 
He  possessed  peculiar  qualifications  for  the  position  — 
a  mild  and  equable  temper,  united  with  great  energy 
of  character.  He  was  devoted  to  his  calling  and  to 
the  interests  of  the  state.  In  a  pecuniary  point  of 
view  the  institution  never  stood  higher  than  under  his 
able  administration.  It  was  his  great  ambition  to 
make  the  prison  a  self-supporting  institution,  and  he 
bent  all  his  energies  in  that  direction.  The  receipts  for 
labor,  above  the  expenditures,  during  his  term,  had  they 
been  collected,  would  have  amounted  to  $42,379.94, 
the  prison  at  that  time  being  extensively  engaged,  on 
its  own  account,  in  hammering  stone.  Unfortunately, 
by  the  failure  of  parties  in  New  Orleans,  the  prison 
lost  upwards  of  $31,000  at  one  time,  and  by  the  sus- 
pension of  the  Phoenix  Bank  several  thousand  more  ; 
and  this  was  followed,  a  few  years  later,  by  still  another 
severe  loss,  by  parties  in  New  Orleans,  which  induced 
the  authorities,  finally,  to  change  the  system,  and  let 
the  men  to  contractors. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  succeeded  by  Hon.  Frederick  Rob- 
inson, who  instituted  a  system  of  discipline  in  many 
particulars  the  very  opposite  of  that  pursued  by  his 
predecessor. 

On  Friday,  December  i  of  this  year,  *a  convict  by 
the  name  of  James  Gardner  was  discharged,  his  sen- 


62  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

tence  having  expired.  During  the  night  succeeding 
he  was  discovered  by  the  watchman  in  one  of  the 
workshops,  having  scaled  the  wall  and  entered  the 
jrard  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  some  articles  he  had 
>ecreted  previous  to  his  discharge.  He  was  arrested 
And  tried  for  breaking  and  entering  a  building,  con- 
victed, and  sentenced  to  the  prison  for  four  years. 

The  above  is  not  an  unusual  offence  :  several  parties 
^ave  been  re-sentenced  to  the  prison  for  the  same  crime. 
One  in  particular,  who  had  been  working  in  the  brush 
shop,  had,  for  some  time  previous  to  his  discharge, 
been  purloining,  and  secreting  under  the  floor  where 
he  worked,  quantities  of  the  most  valuable  bristles  ;  he 
came  in  over  the  wall  and  carried  them  off.  He  was 
arrested  in  attempting  to  dispose  of  them,  and  re* 
sentenced  for  the  crime. 

Mr.  Robinson,  in  conformity  with  his  ideas  of  prison 
discipline,  started  a  society  among  the  convicts  called 
"  The  Massachusetts  State  Prison  Society  for  Moral 
Improvement  and  Mutual  Aid."  The  meetings  were 
held  in  the  chapel.  The  object,  as  stated  in  the  con- 
stitution, was,  that  "  every  person,  on  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  this  society,  shall  feel  it  to  be  his  duty,  and  him- 
self in  honor  pledged,  to  use  all  practicable  means  and 
helps  for  the  improvement  of  his  own  mind  and  heart 
in  knowledge  and  virtue,  that  by  so  doing  it  may  be 
fitting  himself  for  usefulness,  respectability,  and  hap- 
piness, when  he  shall  again  enjoy  the  blessing  of  free- 
dom and  society  ;  and,  furthermore,  studiously  to  avoid 
everything  which  tends  to  corrupt,  to  debase,  and  to 
destroy  ;  and  thus  to  obtain  the  mastery  over  those 
passions  and  appetites,  to  whose  influence  and  control 
so  many  owe  their  downfall  and  ruin." 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  63 

The  exercises  at  their  meetings  consisted  of  reading 
original  or  selected  pieces,  declamation,  and  discus- 
sion upon  various  subjects,  in  which  officers  and  pris- 
oners joined  indiscriminately,  sometimes  ending  in 
scenes  of  doubtful  propriety. 

Each  member  in  good  standing  was  presented,  on 
his  discharge  from  the  prison,  with  quite  an  elaborate 
diploma,  signed  by  the  president,  vice  president,  and 
secretary  of  the  society,  "  recommending  him  to  the 
confidence,  patronage,  and  kind  aid  of  his  friends  and 
the  community  at  large." 

The  latter  reminds  the  author  of  a  story  told  of  the 
late  Hon.  I.  O.  B ,  many  years  United  States  pen- 
sion agent  in  Boston.  When  a  young  man,  he  was  clerk 
of  one  of  the  courts  in  New  Hampshire,  before  which 
a  man  had  been  convicted  for  horse-stealing.  The 
judge  prefaced  his  sentence  with  some  good  advice, 
telling  him  to  be  industrious,  obedient,  and  to  obey 
the  rules  of  the  prison,  and  on  his  discharge,  no  doubt,, 
the  warden  would  give  him  a  letter  of  recommenda- 
tion. Mr.  B.,  who  had  been  listening  very  atten- 
tively to  the  judge,  turned  to  one  of  the  lawyers  and 
remarked,  in  his  very  peculiar  voice,  "  I  say,  that  must 
be  a  desirable  document  to  travel  on  !  " 

An  incident  occurred,  during  the  administration  of 
Mr.  Robinson,  which  illustrates  the  natural  craving 
and  indomitable  perseverance  with  which  convicts  will, 
pursue  a  plan  once  formed  for  their  escape.  It  is  in^ 
troduced  here,  not  that  it  reflects  upon  the  discretion 
or  good  judgment  of  that  officer,  but  because  it  has 
become  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  prison. 

A  convict  named  William  Phillips,  alias  Porter,  was 


64  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

serving  a  sentence  of  nine  years  for  burglary.  When 
on  trial  he  made  some  disclosures  to  his  counsel,  and 
subsequently  to  the  city  marshal  of  Charlestown,  rela- 
tive to  a  large  amount  of  property  which  had  for  sev- 
eral years  been  missing,  and  which,  he  said,  was  then 
secreted  in  a  place  known  only  to  himself. 

After  he  was  received  into  the  prison  he  made  the 
same  disclosure  to  the  warden.  His  story  was  told  so 
artlessly,  and  seemed  so  plausible,  that  he  succeeded 
in  inducing  the  warden,  in  company  with  the  city 
marshal,  to  take  him  from  the  prison  to  the  town  of 
Barnstable  ;  And  there,  in  a  secluded  spot,  they  com- 
menced digging  for  the  supposed  hidden  treasure,  each 
one  taking  his  turn  at  the  spade  and  pick.  After  la- 
boring for  some  time,  and  succeeding  in  making  quite 
an  excavation,  Phillips  was  relieved  by  one  of  the 
others  ;  and,  while  one  was  at  work  in  the  trench  and 
the  other  watching  for  the  appearance  of  the  buried 
treasure,  Phillips  made  a  sudden  spring,  pitching  the 
one  outside  into  the  hole  with  his  companion,  and  took 
to  his  heels.  Before  the  surprised  and  somewhat  de- 
moralized gentlemen  could  regain  their  feet  and  wits, 
the  culprit  was  out  of  sight ;  and  they,  not  being  in 
condition  to  follow  up  the  pursuit,  returned  to  the 
prison  in  some  respects  wiser  men  than  they  left  it. 

Phillips  was  subsequently  recaptured,  but,  I  believe, 

was  never  arraigned  for  the  escape. 
1850.  Mr.  Robinson  resigned  April  i,  1850,  hav- 
ing held  the  office  eight  years.  His  administra- 
tion was  characterized  by  the  humane  principles  with 
which  he  sought  to  invest  it.  Possessing  a  large  heart, 
and  being  a  strong  believer  in  the  power  of  love,  he 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  65 

was  led  to  pursue  a  course  and  to  adopt  measures 
somewhat  in  advance  of  public  opinion  at  that  period, 
and  of  doubtful  expediency  even  at  the  present  time. 
The  expenses  of  the  prison  during  his  administration 
exceeded  the  receipts  $15,025.19. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  succeeded  by  Henry  K.  Froth- 
ingham,  Esq.,  the  accomplished  and  indefatigable 
clerk  of  the  prison  for  the  preceding  sixteen  years, 
who  appointed  for  deputy  warden,  in  place  of  Mr. 
Payne,  who  had  been  connected  with  the  prison  up- 
wards of  twenty  years,  Mr.  Galen  C.  Walker,  an  offi- 
cer of  large  experience  in  the  Connecticut  State  Prison, 
serving,  in  all,  twelve  years,  the  last  seven  as  deputy 
warden. 

July  10  of  this  year  (1850),  the  work  of  excavating 
the  earth  preparatory  to  the  erection  of  the  south  wing 
was  commenced.  The  building  was  finished  and  oc- 
cupied the  June  following.  It  contained  one  hundred 
and  fifty  cells,  arranged  in  five  tiers.  They  were  of 
the  following  dimensions,  viz.  :  eight  feet  and  eight 
inches  long,  four  feet  seven  inches  wide,  and  seven 
feet  high.  The  area  upon  each  side  is  eleven  and  a 
half  feet  wide.  The  cells  are  lighted  by  four  large 
Gothic  windows  on  each  side,  nine  feet  wide  by  thirty 
in  height.  The  cost  of  the  building  was  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars ;  and  it  is,  without 
doubt,  one  of  the  best  arranged  prisons  in  the  country. 

The  discipline  adopted  by  Mr.  Frothingham  was 
similar  to  that  pursued  by  Mr.  Lincoln.  The  lash, 
which  had  been  laid  aside  under  Mr.  Robinson,  was 
again  introduced,  but  not  to  that  extent  which  had 
made  it  so  odious  in  previous  years. 
5 


66  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

Rev.  Jared  Curtis,  who  for  twenty-four  years  filled 
the  post  of  chaplain  with  honor  to  himself  and  great 
benefit  to  the  institution,  resigned  this  year,  and  Rev 
H.  E.  Hempstead  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

Mr.  Curtis  was  of  the  old  school,  a  strong  believer 
in  the  old  system  of  prison  discipline,  reluctant  to 
make  or  suggest  any  innovations.  In  discussing  the 
subject  as  to  whether  stripes,  or  the  infliction  of 
corporal  punishment,  can,  with  propriety,  ever  be 
resorted  to  in  the  government  of  a  well-regulated 
prison,  he  says,  "  That  the  affairs  of  a  prison  may  be 
conducted  without  a  resort  to  stripes  I  have  no  doubt ;, 
but,  after  careful  observation,  and  much  and  deliberate 
consideration  in  regard  to  this  delicate  and  much  agi- 
tated subject,  I  am  clearly  of  opinion  that,  in  some 
cases,  stripes  may  be  resorted  to  with  a  more  ready 
effect  and  a  far  happier  result,  both  to  the  individual 
punished  and  to  the  institution,  than  can  be  secured 
from  solitude  with  its  customary  privations." 

Mr.  Curtis  died  in  1862,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-four  years. 

Mr.  Frothingham  held  the  position  of  warden 
about  twenty-two  months.  The  receipts  of  the  pris- 
on, above  expenditures,  during  that  period,  was 

twelve  hundred  and  fifty-five  dollars. 
1852-8.  From  January  21,  1852,  the  expiration  of 
Mr.  Frothingham's  administration,  up  to  April 
I,  1858,  when  the  writer  was  appointed,  the  changes 
were  so  frequent,  and  the  period  occupied  by  either 
of  the  gentlemen  who  held  the  office  so  brief,  as  to 
have  rendered  it  quite  impossible  for  either  of  them 
to  have  matured,  or  carried  into  effect,  any  decided 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  67 

policy,  had  they  been  desirous  of  doing  so.  During 
the  interval  named,  five  different  persons  held  the 
office:  Stephen  Whitmore,  Jr.,  Esq.,  twenty-three 
months  ;  Jefferson  Bancroft,  Esq.,  fifteen  months  ;  Da- 
vid S.  Jones,  Esq.,  twelve  and  a  half  months  (he 
died  in  office)  ;  Solon  H.  Tenney,  Esq.,  nine  months 
(murdered  by,  Charles  Cater)  ;  and  Jacob  L.  Por- 
ter, Esq.,  fourteen  and  a  half  months.  After  relating 
a  single  incident,  the  writer  will  pass  to  the  adminis- 
tration of  Mr.  Tenney. 

^On  the  morning  of  the  I9th  of  July,  1853,  occurred 
one  of  the  most  singular  and  mysterious  affairs  ever 
witnessed  in  the  prison. 

At  about  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  as  the  con- 
victs were  marching  from  the  prison  to  the  workshops, 
James  Wilson  made  a  sudden  attack  upon  a  fellow- 
prisoner,  named  William  Adams,  with  a  knife,  reach- 
ing over  the  shoulder  of  a  man  who  was  marching  in 
the  ranks  between  them,  stabbing  him  in  the  neck, 
severing  the  jugular  vein,  and  causing  immediate 
death. 

What  rendered  the  case  so  extraordinary,  was  the 
fact  that  Wilson's  time  had  expired;  his  sentence  of 
four  years,  for  breaking  into  and  robbing  the  treas- 
urer's office  of  this  city,  terminated  that  morning,  and 
within  an  hour  he  would  have  been  discharged  from 
the  prison.  The  parties  had  had  no  difficulty,  and  no 
cause  could  be  assigned  for  the  terrible  act. 

Wilson  is  an  Englishman,  and,  at  the  time  of  writing 
this,  about  fifty-two  years  old.  Brought  up  and  edu- 
cated a  thief  and  house-breaker,  he  had  been  an  inmate 
of  most  of  the  prisons  in  his  own  country,  twice 


68  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

escaped,  and  was  finally  transported  for  life  to  Botany 
Bay,  whence  he  escaped  and  came  to  this  country,  in 
company  with  another  notorious  burglar  and  robber, 
who  was  engaged  with  him  in  the  robbery  for  which 
they  were  both  sentenced  to  this  prison. 

Wilson  was  tried  for  the  murder,  convicted,  and 
condemned  to  be  hanged,  and  all  the  arrangements  were 
made  for  carrying  the  sentence  into  execution  :  the 
gallows  was  erected,  the  rope  in  place,  and  the  final 
services  were  being  performed  by  the  chaplain,  when  a 
reprieve  for  thirty  days  was  received  from  the  gov- 
ernor ;  and,  upon  further  consideration,  his  sentence 
was  commuted  to  close  imprisonment  for  life  in  the 
State  Prison. 

The  fact  that  no  cause  could  be  assigned  for  the 
assault  led  to  the  conclusion  that  he  must  have  been 
laboring  under  temporary  insanity.  He  had  never, 
however,  shown  any  symptoms  of  the  kind ;  yet, 
taking  that  view  of  the  case,  and  giving  him  the  bene- 
fit of  the  doubt,  his  life  was  spared,  only  to  be  con- 
signed to  a  living  tomb  —  close  imprisonment  for  life. 

He  wras  recommitted  to  the  prison  on  the  4th  of  De- 
cember, 1855,  where  he  still  remains  (1868). 

Since  the  -writer  has  been  at  the  head  of  the  institu- 
tion, he  has  allowed  him  to  attend  the  services  and 
lectures  in  the  chapel,  and  to  leave  his  cell  for  an  hour 
each  afternoon,  to  exercise  in  the  yard.  Time  has  con- 
firmed the  doubts  entertained  by  some  in  regard  to  his 
sanity.  During  the  first  few  years  of  his  confinement, 
he  applied  himself  very  diligently  to  reading,  selecting 
works  of  a  philosophical  character ;  symptoms  of  a 
disordered  intellect  occasionally  appeared,  which  have 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  69 

gradually  increased,  until  he  has  become,  at  the  time 
of  writing,  a  complete  wreck  of  his  former  self,  broken 
down  both  in  body  and  mind,  suffering  at  periods  in- 
describable tortures  from,  as  he  terms  it,  the  shade  of 

Adams,  the  man  he  murdered. 

1856.  Mr.  Solon  H.  Tenney  entered  upon  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  as  warden  on  the  i5th  of 
April,  1856,  succeeding  David  S.  Jones,  Esq.,  de- 
ceased. His  experience  had  been  considerable,  as  an 
officer  under  Captain  Robbins,  at  the  House  of  Correc- 
tion in  South  Boston,  and  subsequently  as  principal 
turnkey  at  the  Suffolk  Jail.  He  was  peculiarly  adapted 
for  the  position  in  form,  appearance,  and  qualifica- 
tions, and  his  administration  bade  fair  to  be  one  of  the 
most  successful  in  the  history  of  the  prison  ;  but  it  was 
suddenly  terminated,  he  being  one  of  the  victims  in 
two  of  the  most  atrocious  murders  known  in  the  an- 
nals of  crime. 

Confined  in  the  prison,  under  a  sentence  of  twelve 
years,  for  an  attempt  to  kill  his  wife,  was  a  convict 
named  James  Magee.  He  was  an  ignorant,  passionate, 
and  revengeful  man.  Only  a  few  months  previous,  he 
made  a  murderous  and  unprovoked  assault  upon  two 
other  convicts  with  a  stone  hammer,  fracturing  the 
jaw-bone  of  one  and  severely  injuring  the  other.  His 
conduct  became  so  bad  that  he  was  thought  to  be  in- 
sane, and  accordingly  he  was  sent  to  the  Insane  Hos- 
pital at  Taunton.  It  was  sooji  ascertained  that  his 
insanity  was  feigned,  and  being  detected  in  an  attempt 
to  escape,  he  was  returned  to  the  prison.  He  had 
frequently  been  subjected  to  punishment  in  conse- 
quence of  his  bad  conduct. 


70  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i5th  of  December  he  made 
an  assault  upon  the  deputy  warden,  Galen  C.  Walker, 
which  terminated  fatally.  The  following  account  of 
the  sad  affair  is  taken  from  the  prison  records  of  that 
date  :  — 

"  The  convicts  had  been  assembled,  as  usual,  in  the 
chapel,  for  morning  worship.  The  services  were 
closed,  and  the  several  divisions  had  nearly  all  left  the 
chapel,  and  were  marching  to  their  respective  shops. 
The  chaplain,  Rev.  Mr.  Hempstead,  was  seated  upon 
the  platform,  and  Mr.  Walker  was  standing,  as  usual, 
observing  the  movements  of  the  retiring  prisoners, 
when  James  Magee,  who  had  gone  out  with  the  whip- 
shop  division,  —  to  which  he  belonged,  —  after  reaching 
the  ground  floor  of  the  prison,  left  his  place,  and,  meet- 
ing the  descending  divisions,  reentered  the  chapel  at 
the  south  door.  He  held  in  his  hands,  exposed,  two 
notes.  Rapidly  approaching  the  platform,  he  laid  one 
upon  the  pulpit  in  front  of  the  chaplain,  and,  immedi- 
ately passing  by,  placed  the  other  before  the  deputy 
warden,  who,  changing  his  sword  cane  from  his  right 
hand  to  his  left  arm,  inclined  slightly  forward  to  take  it ; 
when,  instantly  springing  to  the  platform,  Magee  seized 
him  by  the  collar  with  his  left  hand,  and  with  the 
other  made  a  desperate  and  effectural  blow,  with  a 
sharpened  shoe-knife,  at  the  neck  of  the  deputy,  strik- 
ing him  under  the  left  ear.  For  a  moment  he  was 
borne  down  ;  but  rising,  the  determined  murderer  again 
struck  another  like  blow  in  the  abdomen  of  the  fated 
officer.  In  the  mean  time  the  chaplain  interposed,  and 
first  striking  the  convict  severely  upon  the  head  with  a 
heavy  pulpit  Bible,  he  then  seized  him  by  the  hair, 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  7  I 

calling  at  the  same  time  for  assistance.  Immediately 
Magee  was  secured,  and  committed  to  one  of  the  cells 
in  the  arch  in  the  north  wing.  Mr.  Walker  almost  in- 
stantly expired  after  the  blows  were  given.  The  body 
was  deposited  in  the  inspectors'  room,  and  the  coroner 
of  the  county  and  the  inspectors  summoned.  Tele- 
graphic messages  were  despatched  to  the  absent 
warden  and  relatives,  and  especial  friends  notified 
of  the  sad  event." 

Mr.  Walker  was  for  the  entire  period  of  his  business 
life  engaged  in  the  service  of  prison  supervision,  and 
was  well  fitted  for  the  difficult  position  he  occupied  in 
this  institution.  He  was  resolute,  but  never  rash  ; 
just,  but  still  benevolent ;  he  required  uncompromising 
performance  of  duty  ;  educated  and  a  firm  believer  in 
the  old  regime,  that  punishment  should  be  the  ruling 
principle  in  a  prison,  that  the  lash  was  the  only  re- 
liable means  of  reformation,  a  strict  disciplinarian, 
one  to  be  obeyed  through  fear,  rather  than  respect 
or  love. 

The  tomb  had  scarcely  closed  upon  the  remains  of 
the  deputy  warden,  before  the  assassin's  hand  sought 
another  victim  ;  and  in  this  instance  the  head  of  the 
administration,  Solon  H.  Tenney,  Esq.  We  again 
transcribe  from  the  "daily  records:"  — 

"Monday,  December  29,  1856.  Another  fearful  tra- 
gedy occurred  at  the  prison  this  day.  As  the  warden, 
Solon  H.  Tenney,  was  making  his  usual  afternoon  tour 
of  observation  and  examination  among  the  shops,  be- 
ing in  the  upholstery  department  at  about  three  and 
a  half  o'clock,  after  passing  the  bench  where  convict 
Charles  D.  Decatur  was  at  work,  he  was  attacked  from 


72  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

behind  by  him,  and  fatally  stabbed  through  the  front 
of  the  neck.  The  warden  had  strength  only  sufficient 
to  turn  round,  withdraw  a  pistol  from  his  pocket,  and 
prepare  to  discharge  the  same,  when  he  fell,  and  at 
once  died.  His  body  was  removed  to  the  hospital. 
Decatur  was  secured  in  one  of  the  cells  in  the  arch  of 
the  old  prison.  The  friends  of  Mr.  Tenney  were  noti- 
fied of  his  death,  a  coroner  called,  and  the  inspectors 
convened,  who  took  immediate  measures  for  the  gov- 
ernment and  quiet  of  the  prison." 

Just  two  weeks  intervened  between  the  murders. 
Mr.  Tenney  was  absent  on  his  wedding  tour  when 
Mr.  Walker  was  killed,  and  his  first  intimation  of  the 
sad  event  was  from  a  morning  paper.  He  immedi- 
ately hastened  home,  only  to  meet  the  same  fate. 

Charles  D.  Decatur  (his  real  name  was  Charles 
Cater)  was  a  young  man  of  good  appearance  and  ad- 
dress, superior  in  every  respect  to  Magee.  He  was 
sentenced  here  for  an  "  assault  with  intent  to  kill"  an 
officer  of  the  House  of  Correction,  South  Boston, 
while  an  inmate  there.  He  had  been  a  great  reader 
of  "  yellow-covered  literature,"  was  of  a  romantic  and 
roving  disposition,  and  fond  of  notoriety.  His  be- 
havior had  been  good  here,  and  no  cause  could  be 
assigned  for  the  terrible  act,  save  a  desire  to  become 
famous. 

The  excitement  in  the  city  and  vicinity  at  this 
second  murder  was  intense.  Crowds  of  people  as- 
sembled around  the  prison,  anxious  to  learn  the  latest 
particulars.  A  deep  feeling  of  indignation  pervaded 
the  community ;  mutterings  of  lynch  law  were  whis- 
pered abroad;  and  it  is  doubtless  true  that,  if  a 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH.  73 

determined '  man  had  stepped  forward  and  openly 
proposed  it,  an  attempt  would  have  been  made  to 
anticipate  the  law. 

Magee  and  Decatur  were  both  tried  before  the 
Supreme  Court,  and  convicted  of  wilful  murder,  and 
sentenced  to  be  executed  by  hanging.  Agreeably  to 
the  provision  of  a  law  then  in  force,  one  year's  con- 
finement in  a  jail  or  house  of  correction  was  required 
before  the  final  punishment  by  death  could  be  in- 
flicted. 

Decatur  died  in  jail  before  the  year  expired,  and 
Magee  was  executed  within  the  rotunda  of  Suffolk 
Jail. 

The  following  is  from  the  report  of  the  inspectors 
of  the  prison  :  — 

"  In  regard  to  the  calamitous  occurrences  narrated 
in  the  preceding  paragraphs,  the  inspectors  would 
emphatically  state  that  they  do  not  deem  them  con- 
nected with  any  material  mismanagement  in  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  prison.  They  regard  them  rather  as 
anomalies — events  which  might  happen  under  any 
possible  system  of  administration,  not  unlike  what 
frequently  happens  in  other  spheres.  No  ordinary 
human  care  could  have  averted  them,  under  the  pres- 
ent requirements  of  the  laws  relating  to  the  institution, 
and  its  accommodations  for  the  safe  keeping  and  em- 
ployment of  its  inmates." 

The  legislature,  which  convened  early  in  January 
following,  during  the  first  week,  appointed  a  "joint 
special  committee  to  inquire  into  the  affairs  of  the 
State  Prison ; "  and,  as  the  writer  was  chairman  of 
that  committee,  and  their  report  foreshadowed  to  some 


74  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

extent  the  policy  since  introduced,  it  may  not  be  con- 
sidered out  of  place  to  introduce  it  here.  It  was  as 
follows :  — 

u  The  committee  have  visited  the  prison  several 
times,  and  have  carefully  investigated  all  the  circum- 
stances attending  the  death  of  the  late  warden  and 
deputy  :  the  institution  itself  has  been  thoroughly  ex- 
amined ;  the  treatment  of  prisoners,  their  food,  cloth- 
ing, hours  of  labor,  price  paid  for  the  same,  the  mode 
of  punishment  practised,  and  such  matters  connected 
with  the  investigation. 

"  We  found  in  the  prison  four  hundred  and  forty- 
two  inmates,  employed  in  ten  workshops,  varying 
from  seventeen  to  eighty-one  in  each.  The  labor  of 
these  prisoners  is  all  contracted  for  by  various  firms 
and  individuals,  and  at  a  price  ranging  from  forty-five 
to  sixty  cents  per  day,  and  for  a  term  of  five  years. 
The  number  of  officers  is  limited  by  law  to  eleven 
turnkeys  and  fifteen  watchmen.  The  full  complement 
have  been  employed  the  past  year,  and,  in  addition  to 
their  regular  duty  during  the  day,  have  to  watch  one 
half  of  thirteen  nights  each  month.  One  officer  only 
.  is  allowed  in  each  shop.  At  this  season  of  the  year 
they  have  to  be  on  duty  from  a  quarter  to  seven  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  when  the  prisoners  are  first  let  out  of 
their  cells,  until  half  past  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  when  the 
prisoners  are  locked  up  for  the  night.  They  are  al- 
lowed forty  minutes  for  breakfast  and  one  hour  for 
dinner.  The  watchmen  receive  seven  hundred  and 
fifty,  and  the  turnkeys  eight  hundred  dollars  per 
annum. 

"  The  committee  found  the  institution  in  a  prosper- 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  75 

ous  condition,  and  the  prisoners  apparently  in  a  state 
of  discipline  highly  creditable  to  the  recent  officers ; 
their  rations  ample,  and  of  good    quality  ;    clothing 
suitable  to  the  season  ;  and  working  less  hours  than 
mechanics  and  laborers  usually  do  at  this  season  of 
the  year.     Although  not  legitimately  connected  with 
this  investigation,  we  cannot  forbear  expressing  the 
opinion  that  the  state  does  not  receive  a  fair  remunera- 
tion for  their  labor.     It  is  a  question  of  some  impor- 
tance —  the  expediency  of  working  the  men  at  trades, 
and  at  such  prices  as  would  interfere  with  the  mechan- 
ics of  our  state.     Should  this  practice  be  continued,  we 
would  suggest  the   propriety  of  advertising  for  con- 
tracts—  a  method  not  heretofore  adopted.     It  will  be 
borne    in    mind    that    the    prisoners'    average    labor 
through    the    year    is   about  ten  hours    per  day,  the 
state  furnishing  shop  room,  heating,  and  power —  items 
of  no  inconsiderable  importance    to  our   mechanics ; 
and,  therefore,  a  fair  opportunity  ^should  be  allowed 
all  who  might  desire  to  bid  for  their  labor,  subject,  of 
course,  to  the  judgment  of   the  officers.      The  large 
shops  should  be  divided,  or  additional  officers  placed, 
in  them.     In  the  whip-shop,  for  instance,  there  is  but 
one  officer  to  eighty-one  men  ;  and,  however  capable 
or  anxious  he  may  be  to  do  his  duty,  you  perceive  the 
utter  impossibility  of  his  having  them  all  in  view  at 
the  same  time  —  an  object  of  the  greatest  importance.. 
It  is  certainly  desirable  that  the  institution  should  pay 
its  expenses ;  but  that  should  be  a  secondary  consid- 
eration, and  ought  not  to  interfere  with  the  safety  of 
the  officers  or  the  reformation  of  the  convicts  —  matters 
of  more  importance  than  dollars  and  cents ;  and  if 


76  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

aught  has  existed  in  the  previous  management  of 
questionable  expediency,  it  has  been  the  apparent  de- 
sire to  make  the  institution  realize,  in  a  pecuniary 
point  of  view,  the  too  ardent  expectations  of  the 
public  and  the  state. 

"  Again,  a  classification  of  the  prisoners,  so  far  as 
practicable,  should  be  accomplished ;  their  indis- 
criminate association  we  believe  to  be  an  error.  A 
prisoner  whose  crimes  or  antecedents  have  been  such 
as  to  mark  him  for  a  dangerous  man,  should  be  upon 
no  consideration  placed  among  men  sent  there  for 
offences  of  a  lighter  character ;  neither  should  he  be 
employed  at  any  work  which  wTould  give  him  the 
possession  of  dangerous  tools.  We  would,  therefore, 
recommend  that  the  cells  in  the  old  prison  be 
fitted  up  for  the  confinement  of  such  prisoners  as 
may  be  thought  dangerous,  where  they  can  be  em- 
ployed by  themselves,  without  endangering  the  lives 
of  the  officers  or  their  fellow-prisoners. 

"  The  usual  punishments  are,  solitary  confinement, 
depriving  them  of  their  rations  and  bed,  and,  in  ex- 
treme cases,  the  lash,  not  to  exceed  ten  stripes,  and 
this  not  without  the  consent  of  at  least  one  of  the  in- 
spectors. We  believe  that  humanity  has  characterized 
the  action  of  the  officers  in  this  matter  the  past  year. 

"  We  would  recommend  the  appointment  of  eight 
additional  officers,  four  of  each,  and  their  duties  so 
arranged  that  they  should  not  be  employed  more  than 
one  half  of  the  day  succeeding  a  night  watch. 

"  In  regard  to  the  murder  of  the  late  warden 
and  deputy,  your  committee  have  investigated  very 
thoroughly  all  the  circumstances  attending  these  mel- 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  77 

ancholy  events,  and  have  examined  not  only  the  offi- 
cers but  the  two  convicts,  Magee  and  Decatur ;  and 
they  find  that  Magee  had  always  been  considered  a 
dangerous  man.  He  had  been  frequently  reprimanded, 
and  on  the  Friday  night  preceding  the  murder  of  the 
deputy  warden,  he  had  been  deprived  of  his  bed  by 
that  officer  for  filthiness  in  his  cell ;  and  it  was  while 
smarting  under  this  very  just  punishment  that  he  com- 
mitted the  dreadful  act.  No  other  cause  can  be  as- 
signed for  the  deed. 

"  Decatur,  as  proved  by  the  books  kept  for  that 
purpose,  showed  that  his  conduct  had  been  remarkably 
good,  and,  at  the  time  of  the  murder,  he  was  actually 
in  the  enjoyment  of  certain  privileges  in  consequence. 
The  reasons  given  by  him  for  the  deed  are  too  frivo- 
lous to  repeat ;  but  the  true  cause  can  be  found  in  his 
reckless  disposition,  the  uncertainty  of  trie  law,  and  a 
desire  attending  the  excitement  of  the  deputy  warden's 
death  to  show  to  his  fellow-prisoners  what  he  was 
capable  of  doing." 

"After  a  careful  consideration  of  all  the  facts  obtained 
by  the  committee,  they  have  come  to  the  following 
conclusion :  That  the  state  ought  either  to  introduce 
the  system  of  solitary  labor,  which  could  be  accom- 
plished only  by  a  great  expenditure,  and  which  your 
committee  would  not  recommend,  or  the  passage  of  the 
bills  which  accompany  this  report.  So  long  as  the 
prisoners  are  employed  in  workshops,  and  have  in 
their  possession  various  kinds  of  dangerous  tools,  they 
have  it  in  their  power  to  take  the  lives  of  their  officers 
at  any  time  ;  and  the  officers  have  always  considered 
that  their  safety  depended,  not  upon  their  numbers,  not 


78  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

upon  their  arms,  but  upon  the  knowledge  the  prisoner 
must  have  of  the  impossibility  of  escaping  the  punish- 
ment of  any  assault  which  might  be  made  upon  them. 
Take  away  this  protection,  and  their  lives  would  be  in 
constant  peril,  and  their  situations  such  as  few  men 
would  accept ;  and  a  very  different  class  would  have  to 
be  substituted  for  the  present  able  and  efficient  body. 

"  Their  safety  consists  in  the  knowledge  the  pris- 
oner should  have  that  a  trial  would  promptly  follow 
an  assault,  and  summary  execution  attend  conviction. 
Adopt  this  principle,  and  you  render  their  situation 
comparatively  safe;  refuse  it,  and  the  end  is  not  yet. 
And  therefore,  after  a  full  and  careful  consideration 
of  the  whole  subject,  your  committee  would  earnestly 
recommend  the  passage  of  the  accompanying  bills." 

The  bills  alluded  to  were  for  the  appointment  of  ad- 
ditional officers,  and  for  the  repeal  of  the  law  by  which 
criminals  sentenced  to  death  should  remain  one  year 
in  som*  jail  or  house  of  correction  before  execution, 
both  o£  which  passed. 

Mr  Tenney  was  succeeded  by  Jacob  S.  Porter,  Esq., 
of  New  Bedford,  who  remained  in  office  about  four- 
ceen  ?nd  a  half  months. 

Mr.  Porter's  experience  had  been  somewhat  exten- 
sive in  institutions  of  reform.  He  possessed  a  mild 
and  equitable  temper,  better  suited,  perhaps,  to  man- 
age criminals  of  a  lower  grade  than  those  usually 
found  in  a  state  prison.  He  inaugurated  some  excel- 
lent measures,  and  retired  with  the  best  wishes  of  all 
connected  with  him  in  his  administration,  and  the  love 
and  respect  of  the  inmates  of  the  prison. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH 

CONTINUED. 

(79) 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  8 1 


CHAPTER  II. 

HISTORICAL   SKETCH,   CONTINUED. 

THE  present  incumbent  entered  upon  the 
1858.  discharge  of  his  duties  on  the  ist  day  of  April. 
The  following  morning,  in  the  chapel,  Mr.  Por- 
ter took  leave  of  his  charge  in  a  few  appropriate 
remarks,  and  introduced  his  successor,  who  also  ad- 
dressed the  convicts.* 

My  first  step  was  to  visit  those  kept  permanently  in 
solitary  confinement,  and  those  shut  up  temporarily  as 
a  punishment.  Of  the  former  I  found  ten,  most  of 
whom  had  been  removed  from  the  workshops  at  the 
time  the  wardens  were  killed,  they  being  considered 
dangerous  men.  Of  this  number  four  were  shortly 
discharged  on  expiration  of  their  sentences,  four  were 
returned  to  the  shops  to  work,  leaving  but  two  re- 
maining in  solitary  confinement,  one  of  whom  was 
Wilson,  kept  so  in  accordance  with  his  sentence,  and 
the  only  one,  since  the  death  of  Peter  York,  up  to  the 
present  time.  Neither  of  the  four  placed  at  work 
ever  gave  me  the  slightest  trouble. 

In  the  lower  arch,  or  dungeon,  I  found  a  man  by 

*  As  much  of  what  remains  to  be  written  is  of  a  personal 
character,  and  can  be  much  better  narrated  in  a  direct  man- 
ner, the  author  will  be  excused  if  he,  in  subsequent  pages, 
uses  the  first  person. 

6 


82  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

the  name  of  Lynch.  He  was  one  of  the  ten  already 
referred  to.  He  was  placed  here  as  a  punishment 
for  breaking  and  destroying  his  bedstead  and  bedding, 
and  had  been  there  about  a  week.  I  told  him  who  I 
was ;  that  I  had  that  day  assumed  the  charge  of  the 
institution,  and  was  desirous  of  starting  pleasantly 
with  every  one  in  the  prison ;  and,  if  he  was  ready  to 
return  to  his  room  and  behave  himself,  he  was  at  lib- 
erty to  do  so.  He  replied  that  he  was  very  well  where 
he  was  ;  that  he  should  not  leave  the  place  ;  that  he  in- 
tended to  remain  there  till  his  sentence  expired,  which 
would  be  in  about  seven  months ;  that,  if  forced  to 
come  out,  I  should  be  glad  to  put  him  back,  for  he 
would  destroy  everything  in  his  power.  Finding 
that  he  was  not  to  be  reasoned  with,  or  reached  by 
anything  that  could  be  said  at  that  time,  I  left  him, 
expressing  a  hope  that  he  would,  upon  consideration, 
think  better  of  it ;  that  I  would  call  occasionally  to 
see  him  ;  and  he  had  only  to  send  for  me  if  he  changed 
his  mind. 

The  cell  in  which  he  was  confined  was  about  six 
feet  by  eight,  perfectly  dark  ;  night  and  day  were  both 
alike  to  him  ;  a  board  and  blanket  his  bed ;  bread 
and  water,  in  limited  quantities,  his  diet.  Here  he 
had  been  for  a  week,  and  here  he  was  determined  to 
remain  for  the  next  seven  months. 

I  saw  him  occasionally  till  the  I4th  of  the  month, 
which  was  the  annual  Fast  Day.  On  that  occasion 
the  convicts  were  furnished  with  extra  rations.  It 
had  not  been  customary  to  allow  those  in  punish- 
ment anything  extra.  I  gave  orders,  however,  that 
Lynch  should  have  the  same  as  the  others.  The  next 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  83 

morning  I  was  called  out  of  town,  and  did  not  return 
till  late  in  the  evening.  I  was  then  informed  that 
Lynch  desired  to  see  me.  Going  immediately  to  his 
cell,  and  unlocking  the  door,  he  stepped  forward,  and, 
in  a  faltering  and  subdued  voice,  said,  — 

"  Mr.  Warden,  I  am  ready  to  go  out  and  give  you 
no  further  trouble." 

"  Very  well,"  I  said  ;  "  I  am  very  glad  of  it.  You 
can  come  out." 

As  he  passed  by  me,  he  turned  and  said, — 

"  Mr.  Warden,  I  can  stand  as  much  hard  usage  as 
any  other  man ;  but  I  can't  stand  kindness :  I  ain't 
used  to  it." 

He  returned  to  his  cell,  and  he  made  no  trouble,  so 
far  as  I  am  aware,  during  the  seven  months  he  re- 
mained in  the  prison. 

This  man  ranked  with  the  most  determined,  desper- 
ate, and  daring  characters  ever  in  the  prison.  He 
had  escaped  from  the  House  of  Correction  in  South 
Boston  and  Dedham  ;  and  when  subsequently  recom- 
mitted here,  it  required  constant  and  vigilant  watchful- 
ness to  keep  him,  even  when  in  close  confinement. 
He  was  prolific  in  resources,  and  indefatigable  in  his 
labors  to  regain  his  liberty. 

He  was  arrested,  soon  after  his  discharge,  for  break- 
ing into  a  hardware  store,  and  stealing,  among  other 
articles,  several  dozen  pocket  knives.  On  his  trial,  a 
young  man  engaged  with  him  in  the  robbery  was  used 
as  a  witness  against  him  ;  and  when  leaving  the  stand 
he  had  to  pass  near  the  dock  in  which  Lynch  sat. 
Quicker  than  thought  he  sprang  towards  him,  and 
inflicted  a  serious,  though  not  fatal,  wound  in  his 


84  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

neck  with  one  of  the  knives  he  had  concealed  about 
his  person.  He  received  a  sentence  of  four  years  for 
robbing  the  store,  and  seven  for  the  assault  upon  the 
young  man  ;  a  few  months  later  an  additional  one  of 
three  years,  for  an  assault  upon  Peter  York,  here  in 
the  prison,  with  an  iron  spoon,  the  handle  of  which  he 
had  ground  to  a  point  by  rubbing  it  upon  the  wall  of 
his  cell.  They  were  both  kept  in  solitary  confinement, 
and  the  assault  was  made  when  he  was  taken  out  to 
bathe. 

He  gave  constant  trouble  by  his  attempts  to  escape, 
and  his  repeated  assaults  upon  those  who  were  brought 
in  contact  with  him,  manufacturing  weapons  of  the 
most  dangerous  kind,  and  from  every  conceivable  arti- 
cle. Finding  his  efforts  were  unavailing,  and  his 
health  failing,  he  became  more  quiet,  but  not  the  less 
dangerous. 

His  death,  which  took  place  August  3,  1860,  was 
preceded  by  the  most  painful  exhibition  of  moral  de- 
pravity it  has  ever  been  my  lot  to  witness.  He  had 
been  an  inmate  of  the  hospital  for  two  months  preced- 
ing. When  confined  to  his  bed,  in  the  last  stages  of 
consumption,  he  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  knife  and 
concealing  it  in  his  bed-clothing.  He  denied  all 
knowledge  of  it  when  interrogated,  and  actually  strug- 
gled to  retain  it  when  found.  He  was  perfectly  steeled 
against  religious  instruction,  obstinately  refusing  to 
see,  or  listen  to,  any  one  upon  that  subject. 

For  several  days  previous  to  his  death  he  was  delir- 
ious, his  thoughts  running  upon  shedding  blood,  some- 
times that  of  horses,  at  others  that  of  human  beings, 
apparently  revelling  among  the  slain,  until  he  passed 
from  this  world  into  the  presence  of  his  Maker. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  85 

When  I  took  charge  of  the  institution,  I  found  al- 
iriost  every  department  in  a  disorganized  and  confused 
condition.  In  making  this  statement,  there  is  no  in- 
tention of  reflecting  in  the  slightest  degree  upon  pre- 
vious officers.  Had  my  predecessor  remained  in  office, 
it  is.  quite  possible  that  he  would  have  accomplished 
much  more  than  has  been  done.  The  simple  an- 
nouncement that  there  were  five  wardens  in  six  years 
would  be  a  sufficient  answer,  had  it  been  in  a  much 
worse  state. 

B.  L.  Mayhew,  Esq.,  had  recently  been  appointed 
deputy  warden,  and  already  marks  of  improvement 
and  zeal,  which  afterwards  characterized  his  depart- 
ment, were  quite  visible. 

A  part  of  the  old  chapel,  which  was  built  against 
the  north  wing,  and  occupied  as  a  barber's  shop,  bath, 
laundry,  drying  and  invalid  room,  was  in  a  very  di- 
lapidated condition,  and  most  of  the  apparatus,  which 
had  been  in  use  for  many  years,  too  far  ,gone  for  re- 
pairs. The  occupants  were  removed  to  a  room  un- 
derneath the  carvers'  shop,  which  had  been  fitted  up 
in  a  substantial  manner  for  that  purpose.  The  old 
chapel  was  demolished,  and  the  whip-shop  extended 
twenty  feet.  These,  with  other  improvements  actually 
necessary,  required  an  immediate  expenditure  of  about 
four  thousand  dollars. 

My  first  report  to  Governor  Banks  contained  sug- 
gestions which,  at  the  time,  were  thought  by  some  to 
be  chimerical,  but  which  have  since  become  a  part  of 
the  discipline  of  the  prison,  and  to  which  is  due  what- 
ever of  success  has  attended  my  administration :  it 
may  not,  therefore,  be  out  of  place  to  introduce  a  few 
extracts  from  it. 


86  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

"I  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  war- 
den of  this  institution  on  the  first  day  of  last  April,  as 
the  successor  of  an  experienced  officer,  and  I  could 
not  but  feel  the  weight  of  the  responsibility  assumed. 
I  accepted  the  important  position  with  a  determination 
of  making  studious  and  unwearied  application  to  its 
duties  answer  for  experience,  and  my  knowledge  of 
human  nature,  and  the  information  I  had  acquired  from 
a  careful  study  of  the  different  theories  of  prisons  and 
prison  discipline,  serve  me  instead  of  a  more  intimate 
and  practical  acquaintance  with  the  subject ;  and  in 
the  result  I  feel  that  my  anticipations  have  been  more 
than  realized. 

"  Not  a  stripe  has  been  inflicted  during  the  entire 
year ;  the  '  cat '  has  been  laid  aside,  I  trust  forever ; 
solitary  confinement  has  been  substituted,  and  with 
the  very  best  result.  I  am  aware  that  not  only  many 
of  my  predecessors,  but  others,  whose  philanthropy 
and  kind-heartedness  cannot  be  questioned,  have 
doubted  the  expediency  or  success  of  this  experi- 
ment ;  but  nearly  two  years'  experience  has  satisfied 
the  most  sceptical  upon  this  point.  The  argument 
heretofore  used  in  favor  of  the  lash  has  been,  that  by 
this  mode  of  punishment  the  state  was  not  deprived 
of  the  labor  of  the  convict,  as  would  be  the  case  were 
they  shut  up.  That  they  should  be  required  to  work 
is  very  true,  and  that  the  institution  should  pay  its  ex- 
penses is  certainly  desirable,  but  not  the  first  or  most 
important  consideration.  Dollars  and  cents  should 
not  weigh  against  discipline  and  reformation.  Exces 
sive  severity  always  tends  to  harden  the  heart.  The 
stoutest  man  that  ever  breathed  will  succumb  beneath 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  87 

the  lash  ;  he  may  be  conquered,  but  not  subdued,  and 
he  returns  to  his  work  neither  a  wiser  nor  a  better  man, 
but  too  often  with  feelings  of  hatred  and  revenge 
rankling  in  his  bosom.  Upon  the  other  hand,  there 
is  not,  probably,  any  degree  of  personal  severity 
which  produces  so  powerful  an  impression  upon  the 
human  mind  as  solitary  confinement.  Thus  con- 
demned to  his  own  thoughts,  he  has  an  opportunity 
of  reviewing  his  past  misconduct.  In  fact,  he  must 
reflect,  and  he  knows  that  the  length  of  his  punish- 
ment rests  with. himself ;  for  the  course  I  have  univer- 
sally pursued  has  been  to  release  a  man  the  moment 
he  expressed  a  willingness  to  return  to  his  work,  and 
promised  to  obey  the  rules. 

"  Nothing  humiliating  is  ever  required  of  him  ;  he 
understands  that  the  past  will  be  forgotten  if  his  future 
conduct  deserves  it.  A  day  or  two  will  hardly  elapse 
ere  a  change  is  visible,  and  the  proudest  spirit  will 
solicit  enlargement,  with  promises  of  the  utmost  in- 
dustry and  quietness;  and  instead  of  the  state  suf- 
fering from  this  system,  an  examination  of  the  records 
will  show  fewer  days  lost  from  this  cause,  considering 
the  number  of  convicts,  than  many  of  the  preceding 
years.  Instances  could  be  cited  where  all  other  meth- 
ods had  failed,  and  the  subjects  given  up  as  incorri- 
gible and  hopeless ;  yet,  under  this  treatment,  they 
have  become  changed,  and  are  now  among  the  most 
industrious  and  best  behaved  men  in  the  prison. 

"  The  too  frequent  exercise  of  the  pardoning  power 
has  a  very  great  influence  upon  the  discipline  of  the 
prison.  It  is  now  considered  a  great  hardship  by 
the  prisoners  if  they  are  kept  here  after  the  first 


00  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

half  of  their  sentence  has  expired ;  and  it  is  rare  that 
a  man  is  pardoned  who  does  not  leave  behind  him 
those  who  have  served  longer  for  the  same,  or  per- 
haps a  much  lighter  offence  ;  so  it  must  be  apparent 
to  all  that  any  but  pleasant  feelings  would  be  engen- 
dered in  the  bosoms  of  those  who  remain,  by  such  an 
act  of  clemency.  They  have  the  impression  that  no 
one  is  pardoned  but  through  the  influence  of  the  offi- 
cers of  the  institution ;  consequently  the  discipline 
suffers  from  what  they  consider  favoritism.  I  would 
not  be  understood  as  intimating  a  too  frequent  use  of 
the  power  in  the  past,  for,  so  far  as  my  knowledge 
extends,  the  recipients  have  been,  in  all  cases,  deserv- 
ing the  favor  bestowed.  But  the  welfare  of  the  prison 
demands  that  great  caution  should  be  used  in  this 
matter ;  and  my  own  impression  is,  if  I  may  be  par- 
doned the  suggestion,  that  the  executive  clemency,  to 
be  effective,  should  be  confined  to  such  cases  as  have, 
by  their  good  conduct,  industry,  and  obedience,  given 
unmistakable  evidence  of  reformation,  or  where  evi- 
dent injustice  was  done  them  upon  their  trial." 

The  contract  with  the  American  Whip  Company, 
having  expired,  was  renewed  for  seventy-five  men  at 
forty  cents  per  day. 

Early  in  the  year,  the  physician  of  the  prison,  Dr. 
W.  B.  Morris,  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Amos  B.  Ban- 
croft ;  and  Rev.  Henry  E.  Hempstead,  who  had  faith- 
fully discharged  the  duties  of  chaplain  for  the  five 
preceding  years,  resigned,  to  take  charge  of  a  church 
in  Lynn,  and  Rev.  Joseph  Ricker  was  appointed  in 
his  place.  The  inspectors  for  this  year  were  P.  J. 
Stone,  Esq.,  of  Charlestown,  John  A.  Goodwin,  Esq., 
of  Lowell,  and  George  W.  McLellan,  of  Cambridge. 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  89 

1859.  Two  important  improvements  were  made 
in  the  prison  this  year.  First,  the  putting 
into  the  north  wing  fourteen  large  windows,  twenty- 
three  and  a  half  feet  by  nine,  corresponding  in  ev- 
ery respect  with  those  in  the  new  wing.  This  im- 
provement will  be  appreciated  when  it  is  understood 
that  the  wing,  which  contains  three  hundred  and  four 
cells,  was  previously  lighted  and  ventilated  by  three 
rows  of  loopholes,  ten  by  twenty  inches,  in  a  wall 
four  and  a  half  feet  thick. 

The  second  improvement  was  extending  the  wall 
and  enlarging  the  yard,  by  enclosing  about  half  an 
acre  of  land  from  the  wharf. 

Connected  with  the  first  improvement  was  the  fol- 
lowing incident :  It  was  necessary  to  employ  some  of 
the  prisoners  outside  of  the  walls,  and  I  selected  a 
man  for  that  purpose  wrho  had  always  behaved  well, 
and  who  had  but  a  short  time  to  remain.  Very  much 
to  my  surprise,  he  objected  to  going  outside  to  work ; 
this  was  so  unusual  that  I  inquired  the  cause.  He 
hesitated  a  moment,  but  finally  told  me.  He  had  a 
wife  and  two  children,  who  were  ignorant  of  his  be- 
ing in  prison.  In  the  small,  yellow  house,  he  said, 
directly  opposite  his  window,  and  near  where  he 
would  have  to  work,  should  he  go  outside,  they  were 
then  living.  He  had  watched  his  children  all  through 
the  summer,  playing  in  a  vacant  lot  of  land  belonging 
to  the  prison,  directly  under  his  window,  frequently 
so  near  him  that  he  could  hear  their  voices ;  and  he 
could  see  his  wife  passing  in  and  out  of  the  house,  or 
sitting  at  her  window,  little  dreaming  that  he  had  been 
so  near  to  them  for  almost  two  years. 


9O  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

He  left  them  in  Boston  to  go  to  the  western  part 
of  the  state  to  obtain  work,  but  failing  in  that,  and 
without  money  to  return,  took  a  watch  whose  owner 
had  left  it  hanging  in  his  office,  into  which  this  convict 
had  stepped  for  a  moment  to  make  some  inquiries.  In 
the  meantime,  his  wife,  not  hearing  from  him,  had 
come  to  Charlestown  to  live,  and  taken  this  tenement, 
in  plain  sight,  and  within  a  few  rods  of  his  cell. 

It  is,  perhaps,  unnecessary  to  add  that  his  feelings 
were  regarded,  and  he  allowed  to  serve  out  his  sen- 
tence without  being  discovered. 

Two  deaths  occurred  this  year,  which  seem  to  re- 
quire especial  notice.  The  first,  John  Cole,  alias 
Bryant,  alias  Cook,  aged  sixty-seven  ;  he  was  found 
dead  in  bed,  lying  on  his  left  side,  with  his  head  rest- 
ing on  his  open  hand  ;  he  retired  to  his  cell  the  night 
before  in  his  usual  health.  An  examination  revealed 
ossification  of  the  valves  of  the  heart. 

Cole  was  serving  his  eighth  sentence :  he  was  first 
committed  in  1814,  under  the  name  of  Simeon  Cook,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two,  and  since  that  time  he  had  passed 
thirty-four  years  and  two  months  in  this  prison,  eight 
years  of  the  time  in  close  confinement ;  he  had  been 
at  large  less  than  fifteen  years  in  the  last  half  century. 
He  was  a  natural  thief,  would  steal  when  there  was 
little  temptation,  and  take  articles  of  no  possible  use. 
He  was,  without  doubt,  one  of  the  most  troublesome 
men  ever  in  the  prison. 

The  second  was  Peter  York,  a  negro,  also  found 
dead  in  bed,  lying  on  his  back,  with  his  legs  crossed, 
his  arms  reposing  on  his  chest,  and  his  eyes  closed : 
his  position  was  perfectly  natural  and  life-like,  indi- 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  9! 

eating  that  he  passed  from  time  into  eternity  without  a 
struggle.  He  had  complained,  the  day  previous,  of 
not  feeling  well,  and  the  physician  had  visited  and 
prescribed  some  simple  medicine,  a  part  to  be  taken 
at  the  time,  and  the  remainder  at  night,  should  he 
require  it.  On  being  visited  late  in  the  afternoon  by 
the  officer  in  charge,  he  said  that  he  was  so  much 
better  that  he  thought  it  unnecessary  to  take  the  re- 
mainder, and  refused  to  do  so.  An  examination 
showed  that  all  the  organs  of  the  body  were  in  a 
healthy  state,  writh  the  exception  of  one  side  of  the 
heart,  the  muscular  structure  of  which  was  remarka- 
bly thin.  What  was  lacking  in  his  heart,  however, 
was  made  up  in  his  skull,  which  was  found  to  be  of 
unusual  thickness. 

York  was  convicted  of  murder,  and  sentenced  to  be 
hanged.  His  case  went  to  the  Supreme  Court  on  ex- 
ceptions :  up  to  that  time,  in  cases  of  murder,  malice 
had  always  been  presumed  or  inferred ;  the  point 
raised  by  his  counsel  was,  that  it  should  be  proved  ; 
the  court  was  not  unanimous  in  their  decision,  one 
of  the  judges  sustaining  the  point.  This,  with  other 
considerations,  induced  the  governor  to  commute  his 
sentence  to  imprisonment  for  life. 

He  was  received  at  the  prison  on  the  i/j-th  of  May, 
1845,  and  had,  therefore,  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
been  an  inmate  fourteen  years,  the  greater  part  of 
which  was  passed  in  close  confinement. 

York  was  quite  a  small  man,  compactly  built,  very 
quick  in  his  movements,  affable,  and  extremely  polite, 
ordinarily,  but  very  passionate  when  excited.  He 
seemed  to  have  no  regard  for  human  life ;  if  he  fan- 


92  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

cied  himself  insulted  either  by  word,  look,  or  action, 
he  considered  it  perfectly  proper  to  take  the  life  of 
the  offender.  This  rendered  him  dangerous,  and 
he  having  in  several  instances  endeavored  to  carry  his 
theory  into  practice,  assaulting  officers  as  well  as  men, 
it  was  thought  unsafe  to  allow  him  to  mingle  with  the 
other  convicts. 

He  could  never  realize  the  justice  of  his  being  kept 
in  prison,  especially  in  close  confinement,  for  simply 
killing  a  man  who  had  insulted  him.  When  once 
asked  what  he  would  do  with  a  man  who  had  com- 
mitted murder,  who  refused  to  obey  the  rules,  and 
insisted,  on  all  occasions,  in  doing  as  he  pleased,  right 
or  wrong,  he  said,  u  Why,  if  I  had  the  charge  of  such 
a  man,  I  would  send  him  to  sea,  under  a  good,  strict 
captain."  York  had  been  to  sea,  and  could,  therefore, 
judge  of  the  comparative  merits  of  the  two  places. 

Two  contracts,  which  expired  this  year,  were  re- 
newed, as  follows :  The  first  with  Charles  H.  Breed, 
Esq.,  for  seventy -five  men  to  work  at  stone-cutting,  at 
sixty  cents  per  day,  and  the  other  with  H.  S.  Doane, 
Esq.,  for  thirty-five  men  to  work  at  brush-making,  at 
fifty  cents  per  day. 

On  the  evening  of  December  5,  at  about  half  past 
four,  fortunately  at  the  moment  when  the  last  prisoner 
had  been  locked  up  for  the  night,  flames  were  discov- 
ered issuing  from  the  ceiling  in  the  octagon,  under- 
neath the  chapel.  In  consequence  of  its  locality,  some 
time  elapsed  before  it  could  be  reached  ;  but,  writh  the 
assistance  of  the  officers,  who  were  fortunately  all 
present,  and  the  cheerful  cooperation  of  the  firemen 
of  Charlestown,  the  flames  were  shortly  extinguished. 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  93 

An  examination  showed  that  the  fire  was  communi- 
cated to  the  woodwork  from  the  flue  which  ^passes 
from  the  kitchen  up  through  the  chapel,  it  being  at 
that  point  but  one  brick  in  thickness.  * 

The  occasion,  at  one  time,  was  not  only  exciting, 
but  even  appalling ;  the  crackling  of  the  flames,  the 
noise  of  the  firemen,  and  the  shouts  and  shrieks  of 
the  convicts,  all  eager  to  get  out,  and  the  fear  we  en- 
tertained, at  one  time,  that  we  might  be  compelled  to 
release  them,  —  these,  taken  together,  served  to  make 
a  scene  which  almost  rivalled  Pandemonium  itself. 

Fortunately,  we  succeeded  in  arresting  the  flames 
without  serious  damage  to  the  building. 

The  inspectors  this  year  were  John  A.  Goodwin, 
Esq.,  of  Lowell,  George  W.  McLellan,  Esq.,  of  Cam- 
bridge, and  Francis  Childs,  Esq.,  of  Charlestown. 

On  the  loth  of  February  an  accident  oc- 
1860.  curred,  which  might  have  been  of  a  serious 
nature.  A  very  tall  chimney,  situated  just  in 
the  rear  of  the  shops  occupied  by  Mr.  Lawrence  in 
the  manufacture  of  furniture,  was  blown  over:  provi- 
dentially, it  fell  parallel  with  the  building,  instead  of 
upon  it,  injuring  but  one  man,  and  he  not  seriously. 
About  forty  men  were  at  work  in  the  upper  room  ;  and 
had  it  fallen  in  that  direction,  many  must  unavoidably 
have  been  injured,  if  not  killed  outright. 

The  following  incident  is  given  as  an  illustration  of 
the  cunning  and  ingenuity  of  convicts :  At  this  time 
the  introduction  or  use  of  tobacco  was  prohibited  in 
the  prison ;  the  convicts  resorted  to  every  conceiva- 
ble method  to  obtain  and  conceal  it.  One  party,  it 
was  noticed,  usually  had  more  or  less  of  the  article ; 


94  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

but  where  he  kept  it  was  a  mystery :  his  cell  was 
carefully  searched  on  several  occasions,  but  in  vain. 
One  day,  the  officer  in  charge  happened  to  open  the 
Bible  in  his  room,  and  the  secret  was  discovered ; 
the  greater  part  of  the  leaves  had  been  cut  out  in  the 
centre,  leaving  quite  a  cavity.  The  book,  externally, 
presented  the  same  appearance  as  any  other  of  the 
Bibles,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  each  cell,  but  the  con- 
tents were  not  exactly  in  accordance  with  the  general 
teaching  of  the  volume. 

Men  who  are  confined  in  prison  very  soon  lose  all 
craving  for  ardent  spirit,  but  for  tobacco,  never ;  their 
desire  for  it  seems  to  increase  with  their  imprison- 
ment, and  they  will  do  or  sacrifice  anything  to  get  it. 

I  have  had  men  come  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  beg- 
ging for  tobacco,  offering  to  be  content  with  but  one 
meal  a  day,  and  do  the  work  of  two  men,  if  I  would 
allow  them  a  small  piece  of  the  weed ;  but  I  had  no 
alternative  ;  its  introduction  was  strictly  prohibited  by 
the  statutes  of  the  commonwealth. 

Although  I  had  never  used  it  in  any  form,  yet  I 
could  not  shut  my  eyes  to  their  suffering,  or  steel  my 
heart  against  their  appeals.  I  was  satisfied  that  they 
were  driven  to  practices  injurious  both  to  the  body  and 
mind,  and  that,  in  some  cases,  insanity  had  actually  en- 
sued in  consequence.  After  a  careful  consideration  of 
the  subject,  I  thought  it  my  duty,  if  possible,  to  get  the 
law  prohibiting  its  introduction  repealed.  I  according- 
ly applied  to  the  legislature  for  that  purpose,  and  was 
successful.  I  have  never  had  cause  to  regret  it. 

There  is  probably  no  body  of  men  in  our  com- 
munity so  readily  excited,  and  whose  feelings  can  be 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  95 

so  easily  worked  upon,  as  our  convicts ;  even  among 
themselves  they  delight  in  joking  each  other  in  their 
peculiar  way.  Of  course  it  must  be  done  by  signs 
and  movements  not  to  be  observed  by  the  officer  in 
charge,  but  which  are  perfectly  understood  by  them- 
selves. Sometimes  the  result  is  quite  ludicrous,  at 
others  of  a  more  serious  nature. 

A  convict,  serving  the  last  few  months  of  a  ten  years' 
sentence  for  "  an  assault  with  intent  to  kill,"  was  made 
the  victim  of  some  practical  jokes,  which  came  near 
ending  in  a  most  fearful  tragedy.  At  work  near  him 
was  a  man  who  was  convicted  at  the  same  term  of 
court  nine  years  before,  who  had  served  out  the  sen- 
tence he  then  received,  had  been  discharged,  and 
returned  on  another  charge.  The  new  comer  took 
great  delight  in  teasing  his  old  friend ;  he  gave  him 
to  understand  that  there  was  another  charge  of  mur- 
der against  him,  upon  which  he  was  to  be  tried  on 
his  discharge,  with  the  probability  that  he  would  be 
hanged.  There  were  several  of  the  convicts  in  the  plot, 
who  were  in  the  habit  of  reminding  their  victim  of 
his  impending  fate  upon  all  possible  occasions  ;  some- 
times by  words  whispered  in  his  ear  as  they  passed 
him,  or  written  upon  a  slip  of  paper  or  blocks  of 
wood,  and  left  upon  or  near  his  bench  ;  sometimes 
by  the  raising  of  the  ends  of  their  cravats  under  their 
ear,  when  they  caught  his  eye.  Finally,  one  of  the 
three,  with  chalk,  drew  upon  a  piece  of  board  a 
rough  gallows,  with  the  figure  of  a  man  hanging 
upon  it,  and  his  name  written  underneath,  and, 
placing  it  where  he  could  see  it,  first  one,  and  then 
the  other,  as  they  could  attract  his  attention,  would 


96  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

point  to  it.  This  was  too  much  for  him  to  submit  to, 
and  suddenly  seizing  a  knife  lying  upon  his  bench,  he 
sprang  towards  and  stabbed  three  of  them,  wounding 
each  in  several  places,  but,  fortunately,  neither  of  them 
mortally. 

He  was  tried  for  the  assault,  and  sentenced  to  ten 
years'  additional  imprisonment. 

The  facts  in  the  case  were  not  known  to  me  till  after 
the  trial ;  the  parties  he  assaulted  had  less  than 
two  years  to  remain.  After  their  discharge,  I  imme- 
diately laid  his  case  before  the  governor,  and  he, 
taking  into  consideration  the  great  provocation  he 
had  received,  granted  him  a  pardon. 

John  A.  Goodwin's,  terrfi  as  inspector  having  ex- 
pired, Stephen  N.  Stockwell,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  was 
appointed  in  his  place. 

A  new  feature  was  introduced  into  our  discipline 
this  year,  which  has  rendered  the  services  on  our 
annual  Thanksgiving  Day  peculiarly  interesting  and 
impressive.  At  the  suggestion  of  the  authorities  of 
the  prison,  Governor  Banks  granted  permission  to  the 
warden  to  name  on  that  day  a. convict  to  be  pardoned, 
establishing  a  custom  which  has  been  followed  by  his 
successors  ever  since.  As  I  shall  have  occasion  to 
allude  to  this-  ceremony  at  a  later  period,  I  will  only 
remark  here,  that  the  first  one  pardoned  as  above  was 
a  man  sentenced  for  life,  convicted,  at  the  age  of 
eighteen,  for  arson ;  he  had  no  recollection  of  his 
parents,  or  any  other  relative,  except  an  old  aunt ;  he 
grew  up  in  idleness  and  ignorance,  and,  when  re- 
ceived, could  barely  write  his  name.  Not  despond- 
ing, he  commenced  a  course  of  study,  and,  when 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  97 

pardoned,  after  being  in  confinement  ten  years,  during 
which  time  he  had  not  been  punished,  or  even  repri- 
manded, he  had  acquired  an  education  of  which  a 
graduate  of  our  high  school  might  well  be  proud. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion,  he  enlisted, 
was  taken  prisoner  at  Ball's  Bluff,  exchanged  after 
remaining  several  months  in  a  rebel  prison,  rejoined 
his  regiment,  and,  being  severely  wounded  at  the 
attack  upon  Fredericksburg,  was  discharged.  Since 
that  time  he  has  lived  in  this  vicinity,  and  has  earned 
the  reputation  of  being  an  honest  and  industrious 
citizen,  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

A  man  over  seventy  years  old  was  discharged  from 
the  prison  this  year,  after  serving  three  years,  for  hav- 
ing in  his  possession  a  forged  deed  ;  he  was  convicted 
under  the  following  circumstances :  He  laid  claim  to 
a  piece  of  land,  and  presented  a  deed  purporting  to 
be  signed  some  years  before  by  the  former  owner, 
now  dead.  The  heirs  were  surprised  that  this  land 
should  have  been  sold  without  their  knowledge  ;  they 
suspected  something  wrong,  and  took  measures  to  test 
the  legality  of  the  document.  The  case  was  heard  in 
one  of  our  courts,  the  claimant  placed  upon  the  stand, 
who  swore  positively  that  he  bought  the  land,  paid 
for  it,  and  the  deed  was  given  him  by  the  former 
owner,  at  the  time  of  its  date,  some  years  before. 
This  was  all  the  evidence  in  the  case,  and,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  anything  to  contradict  it,  seemed  conclusive. 
Before  the  witness  left  the  stand,  the  counsel  for  the 
heirs  stepped  up  to  the  old  man  and  said,  "  Upon 
your  oath  you  say  that  this  deed  was  signed  by,  and 
delivered  to  you  by,  this  party  at  the  time  of  its  date." 

7 


98  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

"  I  do,"  was  the  reply  of  the  old  man.  "  Your  hon- 
or," said  the  lawyer,  addressing  the  judge,  "you  have 
heard  what  this  man  has  sworn  to  ; "  and  holding  the 
deed  up  to  the  light,  the  water-mark  in  the  paper 
could  be  distinctly  seen,  with  the  maker's  name,  and 
the  year  of  its  manufacture,  showing  that  the  paper 
was  not  made  until  some  years  after  the  date  it  bore. 
The  old  man  was  immediately  arrested,  tried,  and 
sentenced  to  the  State  Prison  for  three  years. 

Another  case  of  conviction,  under  circumstances 
and  upon  evidence  somewhat  similar,  occurred  a  few 
years  later.  Several  stores  in  a  town  in  a  neighboring 
county  had  been  broken  into  and  robbed,  one  of  them 
no  less  than  three  times  within  a  few  weeks.  The 
proprietor  concluded  one  night  to  remain  in  his  store : 
about  one  o'clock  he  heard  some  one  try  the  shutters ; 
the  burglar  then  began  boring  holes  in  a  circle  very  near 
together,  and  with  a  knife  cut  out  the  piece,  inserted 
his  arm,  undid  the  fastening,  opened  the  window, 
and  entered  the  store.  He  then  proceeded,  very  de- 
liberately, to  strike  a  light ;  at  this  moment  the  shop- 
keeper spoke ;  in  an  instant  the  robber  extinguished 
the  light,  and  discharged  a  pistol,  slightly  wounding 
the  owner  of  the  store  in  the  forehead,  sprang  through 
the  window,  and  escaped.  The  excitement  conse- 
quent upon  the  wound  prevented  his  being  pursued. 
He  was  not  recognized,  and  not  the  slightest  suspicion 
rested  upon  any  one  in  the  town. 

The  next  morning,  on  examining  the  shutter,  the 
point  of  a  knife  blade  was  found  in  the  wood,  it  having 
been  broken  off  in  cutting  out  the  piece :  this  was 
secured.  The  ground  was  covered  with  a  light  snow. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  99 

and  the  party  was  tracked  for  some  distance  in  the 
direction  of  a  house  just  out  of  the  village,  the  owner 
of  which  had  two  sons,  aged  thirteen  and  sixteen 
years.  An  officer  called,  the  next  day,  to  ascertain  if 
these  boys  were  at  home  the  previous  night.  He  was 
told  that  they  were  ;  that  they  retired  together  between 
nine  and  ten  o'clock,  In  order  to  reach  their  room, 
they  were  obliged  to  pass  through  the  room  of  a 
young  man  who  was  boarding  in  the  house :  he  heard 
them  for  some  time  after  they  entered  their  room,  and 
when  he  retired  all  was  quiet.  The  younger  of  the 
two  said  that  his  brother  was  with  him  in  bed  when 
he  fell  asleep,  and  with  him  when  he  awoke  in  the 
morning.  Everything  appeared  so  satisfactory  that 
the  officer  was  leaving  the  house,  when  he  met  the 
oldest  boy  coming  in  ;  he  stopped  and  spoke  to  him, 
and  was  passing  out,  when,  out  of  curiosity,  he  turned 
again,  and  asked  him  if  he  had  a  knife  in  his  pocket? 
"  Yes,"  was  his  reply,  at  the  same  time  handing  it  to 
the  officer,  who,  upon  opening  it,  found  one  of  the 
blades  broken :  taking  the  piece  found  in  the  shutter 
from  his  pocket,  he  found  that  it  fitted  the  broken 
blade  exactly  —  it  belonged  to  the  knife.  The  truth 
was  so  apparent  that  denial  or  prevarication  seemed 
useless  ;  the  boy  admitted  that  he  was  the  guilty  party 
He  was  arrested,  ancl  a  few  weeks  later  brought  tc 
trial,  when  he  pleaded  guilty  to  numerous  charges  of 
u  breaking  and  entering."  and  wras  sentenced  to  the 
State  Prison  for  fourteen  years. 

This  young  man  was  blessed  with  kind,  indulgent 
and  quite  wealthy  parents,  who  had  given  him  a 
superior  education,  and  the  surprise  among  his  friends 


IOO  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

at  his  arrest  was  great.  The  wonder  was,  how  a 
young  man  so  respectably  connected,  and  possessing 
such  ability  (for  he  was  an  extraordinary  scholar), 
could  fall  into  such  a  course,  blasting  his  own  pros- 
pects, and  plunging  his  parents  into  a  state  of  misery 
beyond  conception.  The  mystery  was  soon  explained. 
An  examination  of  his  room  showed  that  he  had  been 
a  great  reader  of  "  yellow-covered  literature."  He 
had  accumulated  vast  quantities  of  this  vile  trash,  and 
had  read  it  till  his  mind  had  become  perverted  and 
completely  demoralized  j  he  lived  in  an  atmosphere 
of  romance  and  excitement,  and  his  ambition  was  to 
imitate  or  witness  some  of  the  exploits  and  exciting 
scenes  that  he  had  thus  learned  to  look  upon  as  living 
realities.  And  from  this  habit  alone  can  be  traced 
the  loss  to  this  young  man  of  his  good  name,  and  his 
failing  to  reach  the  exalted  position  he  might  other- 
wise have  occupied. 

And  here,  in  the  midst  of  this  congregation  of 
misery  and  crime,  surrounded  by  five  hundred  and 
fifty-five  of  the  selected  and  unfortunate  outcasts  of 
the  commonwealth,  many  of  whom  owe  their  degra- 
dation to  this  cause,  let  me  record  my  solemn  protest 
against  the  circulating,  admitting  into  the  family  circle, 
or  reading,  of  this  most  pernicious  class  of  literature. 
No  possible  good  can  be  derived  from  it;  untold 
harm  and  misery  have  resulted,  and  will  continue  to 
result  from  its  perusal. 

With  this  year  closed  the  administration  of  Gov- 
ernor Banks.  He  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his 
duties  when  the  affairs  of  the  state  were  not  in  as 
flourishing  a  condition  as  had  usually  characterized 


HISTORICAL   SJyfiTCH.  !O* 

this  ancient  commonwealth.  He  succeeded  in  infus- 
ing into  every  department  of  the  government  the  life 
and  energy  of  his  own  character.  He  early  saw,  and 
fully  appreciated,  the  momentous  struggle  then  pend- 
ing, and  took  the  preliminary  steps  to  have  the  militia 
of  the  state  placed  upon  a  proper  footing,  which  en- 
abled his  successor  to  answer  so  promptly  the  demand 
from  Washington,  and  send  the  first  armed  soldiers  to 
the  defence  of  the  capital. 

He  took  a  great  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  prison, 
paying  us  frequent  visits,  and  granting  special  inter- 
views to  the  convicts.  His  policy  in  regard  to  par- 
dons was  more  in  keeping  with  the  proper  theory  of 
punishment,  and  brought  about  a  degree  of  content- 
ment among  the  prisoners  such  as  but  few  who  have 

held  the  office  have  been  able  to  accomplish. 
1861.         January  i,  Rev.  George  J.  Carleton  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  chaplain,  in  place  of  Rev. 
Joseph  Ricker,  resigned. 

There  were  several  improvements  this  year.  The 
wharf  was  enlarged,  the  old  building  used  for  a  stone 
shed,  which  had  so  long  disfigured  the  centre  of  the 
yard,  was  removed^  and  on  its  site  was  placed  a  beau- 
tiful and  attractive  fountain,  surrounded  with  a  grass 
plot,  beautified  with  walks,  shrubs,  and  flowers.  A 
new  and  substantial  building,  one  hundred  and  twenty 
feet  long  and  seventy-five  feet  wide,  w7as  erected  for 
the  stone-cutters,  on  the  lot  enclosed  by  the  new  wall. 

The  first  six  months  of  this  year  were  even  more 
encouraging,  pecuniarily,  than  the  corresponding 
months  of  the  previous  year,  when  there  was  a  profit 
of  $^04.86 ;  and  had  the  usual  channels  of  business 


102  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

continued  open,  this,  without  doubt,  would  have 
proved  one  of  the  most  successful  years  in  the  history 
of  the  prison.  But  the  unhappy  war  into  which  the 
country  was  forced  brought  with  it  a  general  prostra- 
tion of  business  ;  the  branches  in  which  the  convicts 
were  employed  were  particularly  affected,  from  the 
fact  that  the  articles  manufactured  were  chiefly  for  the 
southern  market,  At  the  opening  of  the  war,  the 
contractor  had  upwards  of  $10,000  worth  of  ham- 
mered stone  on  hand,  which  had  been  ordered  by  par- 
ties in  New  Orleans  and  other  southern  cities. 

In  consequence  of  this  state  of  affairs,  the  contract 
with  Samuel  Walker,  Esq.,  for  seventy -five  men  at 
shoe-making,  was  closed,  he  giving  the  six  months' 
notice  provided  for  in  the  contract.  Charles  S.  Breed, 
Esq.,  for  a  like  number  of  men  employed  at  stone- 
cutting,  also  closed  his  contract  in  the  same  way. 
The  contract  with  Edward  Lawrence,  Esq.,  for  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men  for  the  manufacture  of  furni- 
ture, expired  by  limitation,  leaving  but  two  contracts 
in  force,  viz.,  one  for  seventy-five  men  at  whip-mak- 
ing, and  one  for  thirty-five  men  at  brush-making  ;  and 
even  these  were  unable  to  go  on,  except  upon  a  reduc- 
tion of  twenty-five  per  cent,  upon  former  prices.  The 
number  of  convicts,  also,  was  larger  than  ever  before, 
reaching,  at  one  time,  as  high  as  five  hundred  and 
fifty-six.  This  was  a  very  gloomy  period  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  institution  ;  for  it  is  a  wise  and  true  maxim, 
that  a  man's  mind  must  be  occupied  with  something ; 
if  it  is  not  taken  up  with  a  good  thing,  it  will  be 
with  a  bad  one.  Without  labor,  reformation,  or  even 
tv  y  discipline,  in  a  prison,  is  impracticable.  If 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  1 03 

any  general  principle  in  prison  discipline  is  certain,  it 
is,,  that  a  society  of  prisoners  in  idleness  will  be  a  soci- 
ety of  increasing  depravity ;  consequently  every  exer- 
tion was  .made,  and  every  expedient  resorted  to,  to  ob- 
tain employment  for  them.  Permission  was  asked  of 
the  legislature  to  authorize  the  warden  and  inspectors,, 
with  the  consent  of  the  governor  and  council,  to  put  in 
machinery,  and  make  such  changes  in  working  the 
men  as  would  enable  them  to  improve  such  opportu- 
nities as  should  offer  for  profitable  employment.  This 
proposition  —  for  some  good  reason  it  is  well 'to  pre- 
sume—  was  refused,  and  the  authorities  were  obliged 
to  resort  to  such  measures  as  were  within  their  power, 
and,  without  capital,  find  employment  for  this  large 
number  of  able-bodied  men.  Articles  for  the  army 
were  the  only  things  in  demand  at  this  time,  and  at- 
tention was  consequently  turned  in  that  direction. 
Contracts  were  made  with  the  general  government  for 
the  manufacture  of  camp-kettles,  mess-pans,  canteens, 
tin  dippers,  infantry  equipments,  &c.,  and,  notwith- 
standing the  disadvantage  under  which  labor  was  car- 
ried on,  the  officers  succeeded  in  paying  the  expenses 
of  the  prison  into  $2,377.20. 

On  Sunday,  March  3,  Governor  Andrew  made  his 
first  official  visit  to  the  prison.  He  attended  the  ser- 
vices in  the  chapel,  and,  at  the  close,  addressed  the 
convicts.  It  is  quite  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  im- 
pression made  upon  his  hearers  was  extremely  favor- 
able. 

A  daring  and  reckless  attempt  to  escape  from  the 
prison  was  made  this  year  by  a  convict  named  Thomas 
Davis.  He  was  an  Englishman,  a  thief  by  profession, 


104  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

who  was  serving  a  sentence  of  five  years  for  burglary. 
Over  the  door  leading  from  the  octagon  to  the  yard,  is 
a  stoop  about  eight  feet  high  ;  two  convicts  were  at 
work  on  the  top  of  this,  cleaning  the  window  above. 
Davis  obtained  permission  to  go  to  the  tailor's  shop  to 
have  his  jacket  repaired,  but,  instead,  went  directly  to 
where  these  men  were  at  work,  ascended  the  short 
ladder  and  drew  it  up  after  him,  telling  the  men  that 
he  had  been  sent  to  assist  them  ;  placing  the  ladder 
upon  the  stoop,  he  was  enabled  to  reach  the  eaves  of 
the  north  wing,  and  from  thence  to  get  to  the  ridge- 
pole. His  next  movement  was  to  slide  down  upon 
the  other  side,  and  stop  himself  by  catching  his  foot  in 
the  gutter  ;  this  he  did  successfully.  Fie  was  now  di- 
rectly over  one  of  the  large  Gothic  windows ;  the  top 
of  the  key-stone,  three  feet  below,  projected  about  an 
inch  from  the  blank  wall ;  he  accordingly  let  himself 
down,  holding  on  to  the  gutter  with  his  right  hand, 
and  placing  the  ends  of  the  fingers  of  his  left  upon  the 
top  of  the  key-stone,  then  letting  go  his  right,  and  de- 
pending upon  catching  the  top  of  the  stone  and  check- 
ing his  fall. 

When  it  is  understood  that  this  act  was  actually 
accomplished  at  a  height  of  forty  feet,  and  in  less 
time  than  it  takes  to  read  it,  it  may  be  imagined  how 
•sweet  liberty  is,  for  one  to  take  such  chances  to  obtain 
it.  He  reached  the  ground  in  safety,  sprang  over  the 
brick  wall  into  the  warden's  garden  ;  and  here,  unfor- 
tunately for  him,  he  was  confronted  by  a  party  who 
objected  to  his  proceeding  further :  a  struggle  ensued. 
lie  was  a  strong,  athletic  man,  and  armed  with  a  slung- 
t,  which  he  had  manufactured  out  of  a  piece  of 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  105 

inch  bar-iron,  six  inches  long,  with  a  leather  handle 
and  fastenings  to  go  round  the  wrist.  The  sight  of  a 
revolver,  however,  satisfied  him  that  the  chances  were 
not  in  his  favor,  and  he  accordingly  surrendered  and 
returned  to  the  prison. 

This  convict  was  fertile  in  resources,  as  this  incident 
will  show.  The  men  from  each  shop  occupy  a  divis- 
ion of  cells  by  themselves ;  they  are  marched  from 
their  respective  shops  by  the  officer  in  charge,  locked 
up  and  counted  three  times  each  day.  To  facilitate 
the  counting,  the  convict  is  obliged  to  stand  in  front 
of  the  door  of  his  cell,  with  his  hand  through  the 
grating ;  in  the  winter  they  are  allowed  to  wear  mit- 
tens or  gloves.  Davis  on  one  occasion  prepared  a  fig- 
ure to  represent  himself,  and,  placing  it  against  the 
door,  with  a  stuffed  glove  to  represent  a  hand,  thrust 
through  the  grating,  expecting  that  the  officer,  on  a 
dark  morning  which  he  selected,  would  be  deceived 
by  it,  and  return  his  number  as  correct.  He,  in  the 
mean  time,  concealed  himself  in  the  shop  until  the 
guard  should  leave  the  walls,  then  intending  to  scale 
them  and  leave. 

Fortunately  the  sharp  eye  of  the  officer  detected  the 
cheat,  and,  for  the  second  and  last  time,  he  failed. 

The  following  anecdote  is  an  illustration  of  how  the 
credulity  of  some  men  can  be  worked  upon  :  — 

A  resident  of  one  of  the  towns  of  the  Pine  Tree 
State  appeared  at  the  entrance  of  the  State  Prison, 
and,  in  a  very  mysterious  manner,  made  application 
to  see  the  warden.  His  request^  having  been  granted, 
he  stated,  in  a  semi-confidential  tone,  that  his  visit 
was  of  a  matrimonial  character.  He  had  been  in- 


IO6  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

formed,  he  said,  that  two  females,  each  with  a  dowry 
of  ten  thousand  dollars,  were  incarcerated  in  the  pris- 
on, whose  only  hope  of  release  was  marriage  with 
some  willing  swain  of  the  outside  world,  who  would, 
by  this  philanthropic  act,  release  them  from  the  thral- 
dom to  which  they  had  been  condemned.  He  wished 
to  obtain  a  sight  of  the  women  in  question,  in  order  to 
make  his  choice,  and  then  would  make  the  necessary 
preliminary  proceedings  for  a  consummation  of  the 
ceremony. 

The  warden  thought  this  was  a  new  phase  of  the 
"  speculative  Yankee,"  and  made  some  inquiries  as  to 
the  social  standing  of  the  applicant,  who,  writh  some 
hesitation,  acknowledged  that  he  was  already  provided 
with  one  wife,  from  whom,  however,  he  said  he  had 
been  for  some  time  separated,  though  not  in  a  legal 
manner.  He  seemed,  however,  to  be  of  the  opinion 
that  it  would  be  no  impediment  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  his  desires ;  but  the  warden  intimated  that 
such  a  course  might  possibly  result  in  his  own  en- 
forced residence  in  the  same  institution.  This  view 
of  the  case  had  a  tendency  to  check  his  matrimonial 
ardor,  and  he  concluded  to  search  for  a  more  favora- 
ble field  of  adventure. 

1862.  The  contracts  with  the  government  for  army 
work,  from  which  liberal  remuneration  was 
anticipated,  besides  being  able  to  keep  the  men  em- 
ployed, were,  unfortunately,  in  consequence  of  a 
change  in  the  war  department,  brought  to  a  sudden 
close,  leaving  us  with  nearly  three  hundred  men  un- 
employed. As  the  year  advanced,  business  began  to 
revive,  and  contracts  were  made  with  the  following 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  107 

parties,  viz.,  Charles  S.  Breed,  forty  men  ;  Messrs. 
Holmes  &  Co.,  one  hundred  and  fifty ;  Hiram  Tuck- 
er, twenty ;  John  M.  Kinney,  forty ;  and  Emerson  & 
Co.,  forty  —  all  at  fifty  cents  per  day.  Unfortunately 
for  the  institution,  in  a  pecuniary  point  of  view,  as 
business  increased,  the  number  of  convicts  diminished. 
This  was  owing  to  the  small  number  of  commitments 
—  only  one  hundred  and  twelve  for  the  entire  year,  the 
smallest  number  since  1845  —  and  the  unprecedented 
number  (fifty-four)  pardoned  ;  while  of  those  that  were 
received  an  unusual  proportion  were  inefficient  and 
worthless,  so  far  as  their  labor  was  concerned.  Every 
able-bodied  mail  arrested,  unless  the  charge  was  a  se- 
rious one,  was  allowed  to  enlist  in  the  army,  and  in 
that  way  escape  punishment.  In  the  mean  time,  pro- 
visions, clothing,  in  fact  every  article  used  in  the 
prison,  advanced  in  price  from  fifty  to  two  hundred 
per  cent.  Under  these  circumstances,  it  was  impossi- 
ble to  present  a  very  favorable  balance  sheet  at  the 
close  of  the  year.  The  deficit  was  about  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars. 

1863.  The  commitments  to  the  prison  were  one 
hundred  and  eight  —  an  increase  of  six  over  the 

previous  year.  One  hundred  and  twenty-four  were  dis- 
charged by  expiration  of  their  sentence,  twenty-eight 
were  pardoned,  and  seven  died.  The  average  num- 
ber was  seventy-five  less  than  the  previous  year.  The 
deficit  was  about  nine  thousand  dollars. 

1 864.  The  commitments  to  the  prison  this  year  were 
only  seventy-nine  —  the  smallest  number  in  forty 

years ;  discharged  by  expiration  of  sentence,  ninety- 
nine  ;  pardoned,  thirty  ;  and  five  died.     Our  numbers 


IO8  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

were,  consequently,  reduced  to  less  than  three  hundred 
and  fifty.  Many  expenses  are  the  same  with  a  small 
as  with  a  large  number,  viz.,  officers'  salaries,  heating 
and  lighting  the  prison,  water,  the  necessary  repairs, 
&c.  The  cost  of  'provisions  cannot  be  reduced  in 
the  same  proportion  as  the  men  ;  about  the  same  quan- 
tity would  be  left  over  and  wasted  with  three  as  five 
hundred.  Nearly  the  same  number  have  to  be  em- 
ployed on  the  part  of  the  state  as  cooks,  tailors,  wait- 
ers, sweepers,  and  yard  hands  in  one  case  as  the  other, 
leaving  those  at  work  on  contract,  and  from  which 
we  derive  our  only  income,  relatively  less  with  a  small 
than  with  a  large  number :  for  these  reasons,  together 
with  the  fact  that  the  cost  of  feeding  and  clothing  the 
convicts  had  steadily  increased,  it  was  not  surprising 
that,  at  the  close  of  the  year,  there  was  a  deficit  of 
about  twenty-seven  thousand  dollars. 

This  year  an  important  step  was  taken  in  regard  to 
the  dress  of  the  convicts.  For  sixty  years  they  had  been 
clad  in  a  party-colored  dress,  one  half  red  and  the 
other  half  blue.  This  was  in  accordance  with  a  law 
passed  at  that  time,  which  was  repealed,  at  my  sug- 
gestion, a  few  years  since,  leaving  the  whole  matter  in 
the  hands  of  the  warden  and  inspectors. 

The  reasons  which  existed  at  that  period  for  so 
marked  a  dress  had  passed  away.  The  idea  then  en- 
tertained by  the  authorities  that  every  effort  should  be 
made  to  humble  and  degrade  the  convict,  had  become 
obsolete.  The  question  had  been  raised  as  to  whether 
it  was  not  cheaper  to  reform  the  prisoner,  and  return 
him  to  society  improved,  prepared  and  willing  to  gain 
an  honest  living,  than  to  discharge  him  hardened  by 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  109 

brutal  treatment,  the  little  manhood  he  might  have 
brought  with  him  into  the  prison  entirely  crushed  out, 
feelings  of  hatred  and  revenge  rankling  in  his  bosom, 
with  the  certainty  that  the  remainder  of  his  life  would 
be  spent  in  violence  and  crime. 

Believing  it  to  be  a  step  in  the  right  direction,  the 
party-colored  dress  was  discarded,  and  one  of  plain 
blue  substituted. 

A  very  pleasing  and  interesting  event  this  year  was 
the  visit  of  Miss  Susannah  Evans,  the  youthful  lec- 
turer, to  the  prison,,  who  addressed  the  convicts  in  the 
chapel.  There  were  present  quite  a  number  of  ladies 
and  gentlemen  from  the  city,  together  with  members 
of  the  governor's  council,  and  members  of  the  legisla- 
ture. Miss  Evans  was  introduced  by  B.  W.  Williams, 
Esq.,  of  Boston,  and  made  a  very  touching  and  deeply 
interesting  address.  She  warned  them,  in  the  most 
earnest  manner,  to  beware  of  the  intoxicating  cup, 
and  entreated  them,  when  they  left  the  prison,  to  shun 
the  grog-shop  as  their  greatest  enemy.  She  pictured 
the  drunkard  in  the  most  fearful  but  truthful  language, 
and  made  a  deep  impression  upon  the  prisoners. 

To  see  a  young  girl  of  only  sixteen  summers  stand 
up  before  that  large  congregation  of  hardened  crimi- 
nals, and  draw  the  tears  from  their  eyes  by  her  earnest 
words,  was  a  scene  never  to  be  forgotten  by  those  who 
witnessed  it.  Every  eye  was  fixed  upon  her,  as,  with 
tremulous  voice,  she  spoke  to  them  of  their  mothers, 
wives,  children,  and  friends  at  home. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  this  year  (1864)  was  an 
important  one  in  the  history  of  the  great  rebellion. 
Although  its  power  had  reached  its  height  the  yeai 


IIO  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

before,  when  the  army  under  General  Lee  was  hurled 
so  desperately  but  unsuccessfully   against  the  Union^ 
army  at  Gettysburg,  under  General  Meade,  yet  it  was 
still  strong ;  and  great  preparations  were  being  made 
to    carry    into    execution    those   masterly    movements 
under  Grant,  Sherman,  Sheridan,  and  Farragut  which 
finally  crushed  the  military  power  and  annihilated  the 
hopes  of  the  southern  people.     Perhaps  no  body,  out- 
side of  the   military   and  naval   departments,  did  so 
much  to  insure  the  success  of  our  arms  as  the  Sanitary 
Commission.   This  Commission  was  composed  of  those 
actuated  by  the  highest  and  purest  motives  —  men  and 
women  who    gave  their  time,  money,  and,  in  some 
cases,  their  lives,  to  care  for  the  sick  and  wounded  sol- 
dier.    Nothing  in  the  history  of  the  world  can  equal 
it  in  moral  grandeur  ;  every  previous  effort  of  the  kind 
sinks  almost  into  insignificance  in  comparison.      Its 
history  will  stand  an  eternal  monument  to  the  philan- 
thropic and  Christian  element  of  the  American  people. 
Although  the  debt  of  gratitude  we  owe  our  soldiers 
and  sailors  is  great,  and  cannot  be  repaid  by  us,  yet 
the  obligations  we  are  under  to  the  patriotic  women 
of  our  land  claim  a  consideration  second  only  to  them. 
The  vast  sums  of  money  so  liberally  contributed  by 
our  citizens,  either  directly,  or  indirectly  through  the 
various    fairs   held   for  that  purpose  throughout  the 
country,  enabled  the  Sanitary  Commission  to  supply 
the  sick  and  wounded  with  the  care,  attention,  proper 
nourishment,  and  even  delicacies,  so  necessary  in  such 
cases,  but  which  would  have  been  impossible  for  the 
government  to  have  done.     The  amount  of  misery  and 
distress  alleviated,  the  number  of  precious  lives  saved, 
can  never  be  computed. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  Ill 

Iii  December  of  this  year  a  fair  was  held  in  the 
Boston  Music  Hall,  to  aid  the  Sanitary  Commission. 
A  few  weeks  previous  to  the  opening  it  occurred  to 
me  that  our  convicts  might  feel  an  interest  in  the  mat- 
ter, and  contribute  something  towards  it.  Accordingly, 
one  morning,  in  the  chapel,  I  informed  them  what  the 
community  outside  was  doing  to  make  this  fair  suc- 
cessful, and  stated  that  if  any  of  them  had  a  desire  to 
assist  the  cause,  they  were  at  liberty  to  manufacture 
such  articles  as  they  might  be  able  to  in  their  cells, 
and  in  their  own  time.  The  announcement  was  re- 
ceived with  a  burst  of  applause  such  as  the  oldest  res- 
ident of  the  prison  had  never  heard  in  the  building 
before. 

At  once  their  fingers  became  busy  in  forming  curi- 
ous and  beautiful  articles.  At  the  end  of  four  weeks 
they  were  collected  and  exhibited  at  the  prison.  Hun- 
dreds availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  of  visiting 
the  institution  and  examining  the  unique  collection  ; 
among  the  number*  we're  Governor  Andrew  and  Ed- 
ward Everett,  both  of  whom  expressed  their  admira- 
tion at  the  skill  and  workmanship  displayed. 

Mrs.  Governor  Andrew  and  Mrs.  Julia  Ward  Howe 
volunteered  to  assist  the  wife  of  the  warden  in  taking 
charge  of  the  table.  Every  article  was  sold,  realizing 
upwards  of  nine  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

The  following  year  another  fair  was  held  in  the 
Boston  Theatre  to  aid  the  sailors,  to  which  our  in- 
mates contributed  even  more  liberally  than  to  the  first. 
The  sales  amounted  to  upwards  of  sixteen  hundred 
and  twenty-five  dollars.  Many  instances  might  be 
mentioned  where  convicts,  unable  to  make  anything, 


112  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

and  desirous  of  doing  something,  contributed  money 
in  sums  varying  from  eighteen  cents  (all  he  had  in 
the  office)  to  quite  large  amounts.  One  had  a  gold 
ring,  anojjier  a  silver  watch,  taken  from  them  for  safe 
keeping  when  committed,  which  they  wished  to  give 
to  the  cause.  The  interest  displayed  by  them  upon 
these  occasions  was  not  surpassed  by  any  class  in  the 
community. 

Another  instance  of  the  liberality  of  these  men  has 
since  occurred,  on  the  occasion  of  the  great  fire  at 
Portland.  Although  newspapers  are  not  allowed  in 
the  prison,  and  the  practice  has  been,  as  far  as  possi- 
ble, to  keep  convicts  in  ignorance  of  all  matters  tran- 
spiring in  the  outside  world,  yet,  during  the  war,  and 
on  other  occasions,  I  have  given  them  information  in 
regard  to  events  which  I  thought  would  be  interesting, 
and  from  a  knowledge  of  which  no  injury  to  them  or 
the  discipline  of  the  institution  could  possibly  accrue. 
This  has  usually  been  done  when  they  were  assembled 
in  the  chapel  for  prayers  in  the  morning. 

Upon  the  occasion  in  question,  after  announcing 
to  them  the  sad  affair,  the  number  of  poor  people  who 
had  lost  their  all,  and  been  rendered  houseless  by  the 
terrible  catastrophe,  that  efforts  were  being  made 
throughout  the  land  to  raise  money  for  their  relief, 
and  that  one  dollar  then  would  do  more  good  than  two 
coming  later,  I  closed  with  the  remark,  that  if  either 
of  those  present  felt  disposed  to  contribute,  no  matter 
how  small  the  sum  might  be,  I  would  see  that  it  was 
transmitted  to  the  proper  authorities  without  delay. 
The  result  was,  that  upwards  of  two  hundred  dollars 
was  immediately  raised  and  despatched  at  once  to 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  113 

the  sufferers.     The  donation  was  more  valuable  from 
the   fact   that   it  was   one  of  the   first  that  reached 

them. 
1865.         Contracts   were  made   this  year   with    the 

American  Whip  Company  for  seventy-five 
men  at  seventy-seven  cents  per  day,  with  H.  S.  Doane 
&  Co.  for  thirty-five  men  at  one  dollar  per  day,  and 
with  Hiram  Tucker,  Esq.,  for  fifty  men  at  eighty-three 
cents  per  day. 

One  hundred  and  twenty-nine  were  committed  to 
the  prison,  sixty-six  discharged  on  expiration  of  sen- 
tence, twenty-five  pardoned,  and  five  died.  Of  these 
deaths  one  was  of  a  convict  who  was  arraigned  for 

o 

murder ;  but  being,  in  the  opinion  of  the  physicians 
who  examined  him,  in  the  last  stages  of  consumption, 
he  was  permitted  to  plead  guilty  to  manslaughter, 
and  sentenced  to  twenty  years'  imprisonment ;  he  died 
on  the  third  anniversary  of  his  commitment.  The  sec- 
-  ond  was  a  negro,  here  for  the  third  time,  who  had  spent 
most  of  his  life  in  this  and  other  prisons.  The  third 
was  serving  his  fourth,  a  life-sentence  for  murder ; 
and,  although  but  thirty-two  years  old,  he  had  passed 
fourteen  years  —  the  last  five  in  close  confinement  — 
in  this  prison.  The  fourth  was  an  old  man,  sixty-seven 
years  of  age,  who  was  also  serving  his  fourth  term 
here.  He  was  a  finely-educated  man,  formerly  a 
prominent  merchant  doing  business  on  Cornhill,  Bos- 
ton, commencing,  when  a  young  man,  in  a  store  next 
door  to  the  one  occupied  by  Amos  and  Abbott  Law- 
rence ;  and,  as  he  has  often  told  me,  at  one  period  he 
considered  his  prospects,  in  every  respect,  quite  equal, 
if  not  superior,  to  theirs.  Misfortune  at  last  overtook 
8 


114  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

him,  and  to  maintain  his  position  in  society,  he  re- 
sorted to  what  was  then  termed  u  obtaining  money 
under  false  pretences,"  or  "  forgery,"  but  at  the  pres- 
ent time  more  politely  called  "  irregularities"  The 
community  at  that  time  had  not  been  educated  up  to 
the  present  standard  of  morality  upon  this  question  ; 
and  the  amount  of  money  obtained  being  contempti- 
bly small,  showing  a  narrow  mind  in  this  particular, 
he  was  actually  convicted,  no  exceptions  being  taken 
to  the  ruling  of  the  court,  or  verdict,  and  was  pun- 
ished in  accordance  with  the  law. 

Notwithstanding  the  clouds  which  had  gathered 
around  him,  he  suffered  in  silence,  maintaining  to 
the  last  the  same  quiet  and  dignified  demeanor  so 
characteristic  of  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school. 

The  number  in  the  prison  at  the  close  of  the  year 
was  three  hundred  and  seventy-nine.  The  same 
causes  which  operated  against  the  financial  success 
the  previous  year  had  not  yet  been  overcome ;  but 
a  speedy  change  for  the  better  was  anticipated.  The 
deficit  this  year  was  about  twenty-two  thousand  dol- 
lars. 

The  following  table,  showing  the  cost  of  some  of 
the  most  important  articles  used  in  the  prison  at  the 
present  time,  compared  with  the  prices  four  years 
previous,  may  not  be  uninteresting.  It  will  explain 
the  cause  of  the  deficits. 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH. 


ARTICLES. 

1861 

1865 

$5  oo 

$14  oo 

7  oo 

12   OO 

10 

34 

IO 

34 

Red  and  Blue  Satinets,  per  yard,      .     .     . 

50 

21 

I   50 
3Q 

IO 

23 

Codfish,  per  pound,    

O3 

074 

C    CO 

*! 

8  co 

60 

I    IO 

7C 

I    12 

26 

6«? 

O44 

08 

r8 
07i 

•«]f 
72 

7C 

5* 
QO 

/o 

2   OO 

I     CO 

2    2C 

I    CO 

3  OO 

Pepper,  per  pound,     

A    ou 
II 

4O 

Vinegar,  per  gallon,  

LO 

32 

I    SC 

3  & 

I   7C 

2    12 

Lime,  per  cask, 

7C. 

2   2C 

This  year  was  characterized  for  the  good  order, 
obedience,  and  industry  which  prevailed  among  the 
convicts.  No  cases  of  violent  outbreak  of  ungoverned 
passions,  such  as  sometimes  have  taken  place  in  the 
prison,  occurred,  but  an  almost  uniform  observance 
of  the  rules  of  the  institution  prevailed. 

With  this  year  closed  the  administration  of  Gov- 
ernor Andrew,  he  having  served  five  years,  from  the 
commencement  to  the  close  of  the  war.  No  governor 
had  ever  been  called  upon  to  discharge  duties  so  impor- 


Il6  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

tant  and  complex  as  those  which  fell  upon  him.  A 
man  of  peace,  opposed  both  by  nature  and  principle 
to  violence  of  every  description,  he  was  at  once  im- 
mersed in  the  excitement  and  turmoil  consequent 
upon  active  warfare.  He  entered  the  arena  with  the 
misgivings  of  his  friends,  the  warmest  of  whom,  had 
they  anticipated  the  extent  and  nature  of  the  conflict 
then  pending,  and  the  position  Massachusetts  was 
to  occupy  in  the  struggle,  would  have  shrunk  from 
placing  the  responsibility  in  his  hands.  Not  that  his 
patriotism  or  ability  was  questioned  ;  but,  like  David 
of  old,  he  was  the  last  person  who  would  have  been 
selected  for  such  an  exigency.  He  proved  himself, 
however,  clearly  to  be  the  man  for  the  times,  disap- 
pointing both  friends  and  foes  by  the  energy  he  in- 
stilled into  every  department,  the  statesmanship  he 
displayed,  and  the  wonderful  capacity  he  developed 
for  grasping  and  overcoming  every  question  and  ob- 
stacle which  arose. 

It  is  with  no  desire  to  disparage  or  detract  from  the 
well-earned  fame  or  achievement  of  other  states,  when 
I  say  that  Massachusetts,  through  her  governor,  did 
more  towards  advocating  and  sustaining  those  great 
principles  which  ended  in  the  proclamation  of  eman- 
cipation, and  the  final  overthrow  of  the  rebellion,  than 
any  other  state  in  the  Union.  She,  after  repeated  at- 
tempts, obtained  permission,  and  sent  the  first  regi- 
ment of  colored  soldiers  to  the  seat  of  war,  fully 
equipped,  and  as  well  drilled  as  any  that  went  from 
the  commonwealth,  solving  at  Fort  Wagner  the  great 
problem  as  to  whether  the  negro  would  fight,  and 
foreshadowing  the  final  result  of  the  war. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  1 17 

It  is  not  tiry  intention  to  discuss  the  public  or  private 
character  of  Governor  Andrew :  this  is  left  for  others 
more  competent,  and  for  an  occasion  more  appropriate 
than  this.  I  cannot  forbear  alluding  to  the  interest  he 
ever  took  in  the  welfare  of  this  institution,  and  every- 
thing connected  therewith.  He  always  found  time, 
notwithstanding  he  was  occupied  from  morning  till 
night  in  the  affairs  of  the  state  and  nation,  occasionally 
to  pay  us  a  visit,  to  examine  and  investigate  all  cases 
presented  to  him  for  consideration,  without  regard  to 
whom  the  parties  might  be,  or  the  offence  with  which 
they  were  charged.  The  labor  he  performed  in  this 
way  was  far  greater  than  can  be  imagined  by  any  one 
not  familiar  with  the  subject.  Instances  might  be 
cited  where  he  had  taken  the  trouble  to  go  personally 
to  look  up  the  records  of  the  courts  in  cases  in  which 
he  had  become  interested.  His  wish  was,  that  every 
convict,  who  desired  to  do  so,  should  have  an  op- 
portunity to  explain  to  him,  verbally  or  in  writing, 
the  circumstances  of  his  case.  And  of  the  hundreds 
that  availed  themselves  of  this  privilege,  not  one,  to 
my  knowledge,  was  ever  neglected  or  forgotten. 

The  following  extract,  from  a  sketch  of  his  life  by 
A.  G.  Brown,  Jr.,  Esq.,  published  in  the  North 
American  Review,  can  be  vouched  for  as  being  cor- 
rect, and  is  but  one  from  a  large  number  of  similar 
cases  which  might  be  given.  I  take  the  liberty  to 
quote  as  follows  :  — 

"  It  was  characteristic  of  his  habit  to  hold  every 
one  strictly  to  the  full  measure  of  duty.  So  was  his 
indignation  aroused,  one  dreary  afternoon,  the  day  be- 
fore Christmas,  on  finding  that  the  office  of  the  secre- 


Il8  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

tary  of  the  commonwealth  was  closed  half  an  honr 
earlier  than  usual.  There  was  a  severe  snow-storm 
raging,  which  suspended  business  through  the  city, 
and  the  clerks  of  the  office  had  closed  it,  forgetting 
that  there  should  have  been  drawn  and  forwarded  up 
stairs  during  the  day,  for  the  governor's  signature,  a 
pardon  which  had  been  granted  to  a  convict  in  the 
State  Prison,  according  to  a  custom  which  prevailed 
with  him  to  grant  one  pardon,  upon  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  warden,  every  Christmas  morning.  It 
irritated  him  that  the  clerks  below  should  have  for- 
gotten such  a  duty.  During  his  own  hard  work 
through  the  day,  the  thought  of  the  happiness  which 
the  morrow  would  bring  to  that  convict  had  lightened 
his  heart,  and  he  felt  a  positive  pain  that  others  should 
not  have  shared  that  feeling.  Though  unwell,  he 
hastily  broke  out  of  the  room,  walked  through  the 
driving  snow,  across  the  city,  to  the  house  of  one  of 
the  officers  of  the  state  department,  brought  him 
back  to  the  State  House,  stood  by  him  while  the  par- 
don was  drawn,  and  the  great  seal  of  the  common- 
wealth was  affixed  to  it,  signed  it,  and  then  despatched 
it  by  one  of  his  secretaries  to  the  warden  at  Charles- 
town." 

The  following  incident  is  introduced  for  the  purpose 
of  showing  that,  although  interested  in,  and  willing 
to  do  everything  in  his  power  to  assist  and  encourage, 
those  who,  from  circumstances  over  which  they  might 
or  might  not  have  control,  had  become  convicts,  yet 
he  was  indignant  at  the  thought  that  anyone  should 
attempt  to  deceive  him,  or  obtain  favors  through  mis- 
representation. 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  119 

One  morning  the  Boston  Daily  Advertiser  contained 
an  official  announcement  that  J*****  H***,  Jr., 
had  been  appointed  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  Suffolk 
county.  Having  some  business  to  transact  at  the  State 
House,  a  few  days  later,  I  took  occasion  to  inquire  of 
his  excellency  if  he  knew  who  this  J.  H.  was.  He 
did  not ;  all  that  he  remembered  was,  that  the  name 
was  presented  in  the  usual  way  by  the  member  from 
Suffolk  County,  and  the  appointment  was  made.  An 
examination  showed  that  the  petition  accompanying 
the  application  was  signed  by  some  of  the  first  men 
in  the  city,  who,  however,  were  ignorant  of  the  facts 
which  afterwards  appeared,  illustrating  most  forcibly 
the  utter  worthlessness  of  such  documents.  The 
writer,  if  allowed  the  digression,  would  state,  that 
within  eighteen  months  he  gave  a  man  an  office  in 
this  prison,  upon  a  recommendation  and  petition, 
signed  by  a  member  of  the  governor's  council,  judge 
and  clerk  of  one  of  our  courts,  district  attorney,  min- 
ister of  the  gospel,  county  commissioner,  and  a  long 
list  of  other  influential  citizens,  and  within  one  month 
from  the  time  he  was  appointed,  I  was  obliged  to  dis- 
charge him,  he  not  possessing  one  solitary  qualifica- 
tion for  the  position,  and  from  his  bad  habits  not  to 
be  trusted  in  any  situation.  He  is  now  in  prison. 

This  J.  H.  proved  to  be  a  man  who  had  not  only 
recently  been  discharged  from  this  prison,  but  who, 
in  consequence  of  being  drafted,  applied  to  the  warden 
and  obtained  from  him  a  certificate  to  that  effect, 
pleading  before  a  board  of  enrolment  his  conviction 
of  felony,  and  proved  his  own  identity  as  a  discharged 
convict  from  the  State  Prison,  in  bar  of  all  claim  on 


I2O  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  part  of  the  national  government,  under  the  act  of 
Congress  of  March  3,  1863,  to  his  serving  as  a  soldier 
in  the  public  defence. 

The  governor  immediately  sent  for  him,  and  re- 
quested the  surrender  of  his  commission,  which  was 
refused.  The  legislature  being  in  session,  his  excel- 
lency laid  the  whole  matter  before  that  body,  and  he 
was  remoVed. 

Governor  Andrew's  idea  was,  that  a  prison  should 
be  for  the  reformation  of  convicts ;  that  the  commu- 
nity had  a  right  to  restrain  a  man,  but  without  punish- 
ment. He  only  who  could  look  into  the  heart  and 
read  its  secrets  could  measure  the  punishment  due  to 
any  particular  crime.  The  reasons  so  often  presented 
for  a  pardon,  that  the  party  was  well  educated,  and 
had  influential  friends,  did  not  always  have  the  desired 
effect.  He  had  more  sympathy,  and  very  properly, 
too,  with  the  ignorant  and  lowly,  those  who  had  en- 
joyed few,  if  any,  advantages  ;  and  he  considered  no 
sacrifice  of  time  or  labor  on  his  part  too  great  when 
this  class  could  thereby  be  benefited. 

The  interest  Governor  Andrew  had  taken  in  the 
institution  did  not  cease  with  his  retirement  from 
office.  He  was  sure  to  drop  in  occasionally  to  see 
us,  particularly  on  our  holidays.  It  was  a  singular 
and  interesting  sight  to  see  him  in  the  yard,  surrounded 
by  a  crowd  of  these  men,  answering  their  questions, 
giving  a  word  of  encouragement  here,  and  a  bit  of 
advice  there,  having  a  kind  word  and  genial  smile 
for  all. 

His  last  visit  to  the  prison  was  on  Fast  Day,  1867. 
He  had  promised  to  be  present,  and  Governor  Bullock 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  121 

was  also  expected.  Our  services  in  the  chapel  com- 
menced, as  usual,  at  ten  o'clock,  and  were  about 
closing,  neither  of  the  distinguished  gentlemen  having 
arrived.  The  warden  was  expressing  his  regret  at  the 
disappointment,  when  suddenly  Governor  Andrew 
appeared  at  the  door,  he  having  mistaken  the  hour. 
The  tumult  of  applause  with  which  he  was  greeted 
showed  the  feeling  that  existed  in  the  hearts  vof  these 
unfortunate  men  towards  him.  He  made  them  one 
of  his  characteristic  speeches^  full  of  humor,  encour- 
agement, and  good  advice,  which  was  listened  to  with 
the  deepest  interest. 

The  announcement  of  his  sudden  death  was  received 
with  the  strongest  expressions  of  sorrow  and  grief, 
many  shedding  tears,  and  all  feeling  that  in  him  they 
had  lost  a  true  friend,  one  difficult  to  replace. 

How  much  other  bodies  and  associations  might 
have  been  affected  by  the  sudden  death  of  this  great 
and  good  man,  I  am  sure  that  nowhere,  outside  of  his 
own  family,  was  there  more  genuine  sorrow  for  his 

loss  than  in  the  State  Prison. 

1866.  The  number  of  commitments  to  the  prison 
this  year  was  two  hundred  and  forty-seven 
—  a  much  larger  number  than  in  any  previous  year  ; 
discharged  by  expiration  of  sentence,  seventy-six ; 
pardoned,  sixteen  ;  died,  nine  ;  leaving  in  the  prison, 
at  the  close  of  the  year,  five  hundred  and  eighteen. 

Among  the  deaths  was  that  of  a  man  who  was  sen- 
tenced in  the  Superior  Court,  Boston,  and  received  at 
the  prison  late  of  a  Saturday  afternoon.  He  com- 
plained of  not  feeling  very  well,  but  remarked  that  he 
was  better  than  he  had  been.  He  was  placed  in  a 


122  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

cell,  and  the  regular  rations  given  him.  The  follow- 
ing day  being  Sunday,  he  was  not  taken  out  for  the 
usual  examination.  On  Monday  morning  he  was 
found  in  a  sinking  condition,  removed  immediately  to 
the  hospital,  and  he  expired  before  noon.  An  officer 
was  within  hearing  night  and  day,  and  the  slightest 
movement  on  his  part  would  have  been  heard,  and 
assistance  rendered  him  if  required. 

Of  the  two  hundred  and  forty-seven  prisoners  re- 
ceived this  year,  one  hundred  and  seventy-one,  or 
about  seventy  per,  cent.,  had  been  in  the  army  or  navy, 
and  only  six  per  cent,  had  ever  been  in  this  prison 
before.  They  were  all,  with  two  or  three  exceptions, 
active  young  men,  their  average  age  being  less  than 
twenty-five  years. 

It  was  a  sad  sight,  and  one  to  be  regretted,  that  so 
many  noble  defenders  of  the  "  old  flag,"  some  of 
whom  had  participated  in  battles  from  the  first 
Bull  Run  to  the  surrender  of  Lee,  mutilated  and 
covered  with  scars  (one  had  upon  his  body  the  scars 
of  eight  wounds  received  in  one  battle),  and  whose 
record  in  the  war,  with  few  exceptions,  was  good, 
should  terminate  so  glorious  a  career  in  the  State  Pris- 
on. It  is  also  a  subject  of  congratulation  —  of  wonder, 
perhaps  —  that  such  a  large  body  of  men,  thrown  sud- 
denly upon  the  country  at  the  close  of  the  war,  should 
have  been  absorbed  as  quietly  as  they  were,  without 
disarranging  to  a  much  greater  extent  the  affairs  of 
the  community.  Its  parallel  cannot  be  found  in  the 
world's  history. 

Most  of  these  men  enlisted  quite  young,  before  they 
had  become  established  in  any  regular  business.  Eighty- 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  123 

four  per  cent,  of  them  had  no  trades.  Upon  their 
return  from  the  war,  they  found  the  situations  they  had 
vacated  filled,  and  employment  of  any  kind  difficult  to 
obtain.  They  also  found  what  they  had  supposed 
would  be  a  recommendation  —  service  in  the  army  — 
Was,  in  truth,  a  disadvantage,  an  objection  to  them. 
They  were  distrusted  ;  people  hesitated  about  giving 
them  work,  fearing  they  had  become  demoralized  in 
the  army*  The  money  they  had  received  upon  their 
discharge  was  soon  gone ;  and  it  is  not  strange,  nor 
to  be  wondered  at,  that,  in  consequence  of  this  great 
disappointment,  many  became  reckless,  desperate,  and 
that  crime  followed*  The  disposition  evinced  by  the 
people  to  stimulate  the  soldier  to  enlist,  and  to  encour- 
age them  while  in  the  field,  was  to  a  great  extent  dis- 
continued upon  their  discharge  ;  and,  although  much 
was  done  by  individuals  to  aid  and  assist  them  in 
obtaining  work,  the  community  at  large  failed  to  ren- 
der them  the  assistance  which  they  had  a  right  to 
expect,  if  not  to  demand. 

One  of  the  workshops,  the  attic  of  which  was  used 
by  the  contractor,  F.  M.  Holmes  &  Co.,  for  the  storing 
of  lumber,  tow,  "  excelsior,"  and  other  combustible 
materials,  was  nearly  destroyed  by  fire  this  year.  The 
roof,  attic,  and  the  room  occupied  by  the  upholsterers, 
were  entirely  burned  out.  The  fire  is  supposed  to  have 
originated  in  spontaneous  combustion.  In  seventeen 
days,  the  shop,  which  was  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet 
long  by  forty  wide,  was  rebuilt,  an  extra  story  added, 
and  occupied  by  the  workmen,  the  greater  part  of  the 
labor  being  performed  by  the  convicts. 

For  the  first  time  since   1860  the  prison  was  self- 


124  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

supporting  —  the  receipt  over  expenditures  being 
eight  hundred  and  twenty-nine  dollars  and  twenty 
cents.  This  was  to  some  extent  owing  to  the  fact  that 
the  number  of  convicts  had  increased,  and  the  fifty 
men  employed  by  Mr.  Hiram  Tucker  were  transferred 
to  the  Tucker  Manufacturing  Company,  and  a  new 
contract  made  with  said  company  for  two  hundred 
men,  by  which  arrangement  work  was  furnished  for 

all  our  prisoners. 

1867.  One  hundred  and  twenty-eight  were  com- 
mitted to  the  prison  this  year,  ninety-one 
discharged  on  expiration  of  sentence,  fourteen  par- 
doned, and  seven  died,  leaving  at  the  close  of  the  year 
five  hundred  and  thirty-seven  inmates.  The  daily 
average  was  five  hundred  and  thirty-four. 

The  contract  held  by  F.  M.  Holmes  &  Co.,  for  the 
last  five  years,  terminated  on  the  ist  of  July  of  this 
year.  The  men  (one  hundred  and  fifty)  were  secured 
by  the  Tucker  Manufacturing  Company,  who,  by  this 
contract,  are  to  pay  one  dollar  and  seven  cents  per  day 
for  them,  it  being  an  advance  of  fifty-seven  cents  upon 
the  price  previously  received.  These  men  are  in 
future  to  be  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  bronzed 
iron-work.  And  it  is  with  pride  that  I  allude  to  the 
fact  that  this  company  received  a  silver  medal  at  the 
late  Paris  Exhibition  ;  and  so  greatly  interested  were 
their  majesties,  the  Emperor  of  France  and  the  King 
of  Prussia,  in  the  beauty  and  workmanship  of  the 
articles  exhibited,  that  they  not  only  paid  several  visits 
to  the  American  department  to  examine  them,  but 
made  quite  extensive  purchases  from  the  collection. 

This  company  has  also  taken  several  gold  medals 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH.  125 

from  various  exhibitions  and  fairs  held  in  this  country ; 
and  their  chandeliers,  gas-fixtures,  iron-work,  and 
bronzes,  for  beauty,  durability,  and  cheapness,  are 
unequalled. 

A  new  feature  was  introduced  into  the  institution 
this  year,  consisting  of  a  course  of  lectures  given 
evenings  in  the  chapel.  The  course  included  the 
following :  — 

American  Mechanics,       ...  By  the  Warden. 

On  Chemistry,          ....  Prof.  J.  R.  Nichols. 

General  Mitchell,     ....  Rev.  J.  D.  Fulton. 

Our  Country,   .         .        .        .         .  Rev.  W.  F.  Mallalieu. 

Battle  of  the  Monitor  and  Merrimac,  Rev.  Mr.  Clark. 

Select  Readings,        ....  Stacy  Baxter,  Esq. 

Battle  of  the  Wilderness,         .         .  Lieut.  Mills. 

A  Musical  Entertainment,       .         .  Amateurs  of  the  City. 

Egypt, Rev.  Dr.  Eddy. 

Jonathan  and  his  Works,  a  Poem,  .  Rev.  Mr.  Walker. 

The  Human  Skeleton,     ...  Dr.  S.  H.  Kurd. 

That  the  experiment  proved  a  success  can  be  readily 
understood,  but  the  real  benefit  conferred  can  never  be 
known.  To  many  of  the  inmates  it  was  a  great  nov- 
elty, coming  as  they  do  from  classes  not  much  in 
the  habit  of  patronizing  lyceum  lectures.  But  to  all 
they  were  interesting  and  instructive  to  a  great  de- 
gree, awakening  in  the  minds  of  many  thoughts  and 
aspirations  previously  unknown,  and  causing  an  un- 
precedented demand  for  books  and  information  upon 
the  various  subjects  discussed. 

During  the  summer  a  fair  was  held  at  the  prison 
for  the  purpose  of  raising  money  to  purchase  an 
organ  for  the  chapel.  The  prisoners  contributed 


126  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  articles,  all  of  which  were  made  by  them,  and  in 
their  own  time.  It  proved  quite  successful,  the  re- 
ceipts amounting  to  five  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  — 
enough  to  purchase  the  organ  and  pay  all  the  neces- 
sary expenses  attending  the  fair.  This  sum  was  but 
an  item  when  compared  with  the  amount  of  good 
realized  by  the  donors  in  being  permitted  to  purchase 
the  instrument. 

The  sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  was  appropriated 
for  the  purpose  of  extending  the  west  wing  of  the 
prison  and  putting  in  one  hundred  additional  cells. 
This  work  was  accomplished  in  a  thorough  manner, 
and  the  entire  cost  was  about  thirty-eight  thousand 
dollars.  The  prison  now  contains  six  hundred  and 
fifty-two  cells,  independent  of  the  hospital  and  old 
a'rch.  It  was  thought  by  some  that  the  above  addi- 
tion was  unnecessary,  and  that  the  new  cells  would 
not  be  required  for  some  years  to  come ;  yet,  at  the 
time  of  writing  this  paragraph,  we  have  fifty-six  pris- 
oners more  than  we  had  cells  for  before  this  improve- 
ment was  made. 

In  extending  the  west  wing  this  year,  the  last 
vestige  of  the  machinery  connected  with  the  barba- 
rous practice  of  whipping,  which  for  over  sixty  years 
had,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  been  connected  with 
the  discipline  of  the  prison,  was  removed.  It  con- 
sisted of  two  iron  rings  fastened  in  the  wall,  about  six 
feet  from  the  floor,  and  five  apart.  To  these  were 
attached  small  pulleys,  with  cords  running  through 
them,  to  which  the  wrists  of  the  victim  were  fastened 
and  drawn  tight.  His  ankles  were  also  made  fast  to 
iron  staples.  Thus  secured  to  the  wall  of  the  lowest 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH*  127 

dungeon,  from  whence  the  shriek  of  the  strongest 
man  could  not  reach  the  outer  world,  with  his  back 
bared,  he  was  prepared  to  receive  that  discipline  to 
which  so  many  cling,  even  at  this  late  day.  By  his 
side,  in  this  dimly-lighted  cavern,  with  coat  removed, 
and  sleeves  rolled  to  the  shoulder,  to  insure  the  great- 
est freedom  to  the  limb  grasping  the  heavy  "  cat," 
stands  the  executioner,  (surely  the  most  fitting  title)  — 
one  usually  selected  for  his  muscle  and  lack  of  brains. 
And  the  great  wonder  among  the  advocates  of  this 
system  was,  that  the  convicts  did  not  improve  under 
this  humane  treatment,  but,  notwithstanding  the  per- 
tinacity with  which  it  was  followed  up,  actually  be- 
came worse. 

Is  it  strange  that,  driven  to  desperation  by  the  lash 
and  shower-bath,  with  intellect  and  reason  often 
clouded,  they  should  sometimes  turn  upon  their 
tormentors,  and,  taking  vengeance  into  their  own 
hands,  astonish  and  electrify  the  community  with  the 
atrociousness  of  the  crimes  they  were  capable  of  com- 
mitting? 

In  a  financial  point  of  view  this  was  the  most  suc- 
cessful year  ever  known  in  the  institution.  The 
receipts  were  $118,011.10,  and  the  expenditures 
$95,664.94,  leaving  a  clear  profit  of  $22,346.16. 
This  result  was  obtained  notwithstanding  the  sala- 
ries of  the  officers  were  increased  this  year  about 
$6000,  and  the  price  of  provisions  of  all  kinds  higher 

than  ever  before. 

1868.         This  year  was  commenced  under  more  fa- 
vorable auspices,  probably,  than  any  previous 
one.     The  prisoners  were  all  employed,  and  the  state 


128  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

receiving  liberal  compensation,  compared  with  pre- 
vious prices.  Good  order,  industry,  and  a  disposition 
to  submit  cheerfully  to  the  necessary  discipline,  pre- 
vailed almost  universally.  In  this  particular  I  think 
the  year  has  never  been  surpassed.  * 

The  number  committed  this  year  was  180 ;  dis- 
charged on  expiration  of  sentence,  112;  pardoned, 
34 ;  died,  6  ;  remaining  at  the  close  of  the  fiscal  year, 
558  ;  daily  average,  546. 

The  course  of  lectures  this  year  consisted  of  the 
following :  — 

Washington,  the  National  Capital,  C.  H.  Brainard,  Esq. 

Self-culture,        ....  Rev.  W.  F.  Mallalieu. 

Reading  of  Christmas  Carol,     .  The  Warden. 

Select  Readings,         .         .         .  Stacy  Baxter,  Esq. 

Hope,  .....  Rev.  Mr.  Morris. 

'Subject  without  a  name,     .         .  The  Warden, 

improvements  in  seventy  years,  Rev.  L.  F.  Beecher,  D.  D. 

Sunbeams,  ....  Rev.  H.  W.  Warren. 

Joan  of  Arc,        ....  Rev.  C.  F.  Barnard. 

Musical  Entertainment,     .         .  Amateurs  of  the  city 

Astronomy,  M.  Salom,  E'sq. 

Friendship,         ....  Rev.  W.  R.  Alger. 

The  receipts  for  this  year  were     .         .  $136,639.79 

Total  expenses, 108,993.30 

Clear  profit, 27,646.49 

Profit  last  year, 22,346.16 

Profit  for  the  two  years,        .         .         .  495992.65 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS. 


(129) 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  13 


CHAPTER  III. 

SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS. 

DURING  my  official  connection  with  the  institution, 
many  incidents  have  taken  place  of  vivid  interest. 
Many  of  the  most  striking  have  been  put  on  record 
at  the  time  of  their  occurrence,  some  still  linger  in 
the  memory,  while  others  have  passed  out  of  mind 
in  the  busy  scenes  of  daily  life.  There  are  many 
sketches  in  my  possession  which  would  be  very  in- 
^eresting  to  the  public,  but  which  a  proper  regard 
fo.  the  feelings  of  some  still  living  would  not  allow 
of  publication  ;  but  from  other  incidents  of  a  personal 
character,  where  no  such  objection  exists,  it  has  been 
thought  desirable  to  select  a  few  as  illustrative  of 
prison  life.  It  would  be  easy  to  fill  volumes  with 
such  material,  but  it  is  not  expedient. 

In  1824  a  serious  mutiny  occurred  at  the  prison, 
which  in  its  ultimate  suppression  presented  a  most 
impressive  exhibition  of  moral  courage  opposed  to 
wild  ferocity.  It  was  on  the  I2th  of  March,  and 
the  prison  was  at  that  time  without  a  legitimate  head, 
by  reason  of  the  death  of  the  warden  five  days  pre- 
vious :  — 

The  author  is  largely  indebted  to  an  article  pub- 
lished in  the  New  England  Galaxy,  shortly  after,  for 
the  following  account  of  the  affair:  — 


132  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

Three  convicts  had  been  sentenced,  under  the  rules 
of  the  prison,  to  be  publicly  whipped  in  the  yard, 
and  were  confined  in  the  solitary  cells  waiting  pun- 
ishment. An  officer,  whose  duty  it  was  to  attend  to 
such  cases,  entered  one  of  the  cells  to  see  that  every- 
thing was  right,  when  the  inmate  sprang  past  him, 
closed  the  door,  and  locked  him  in.  He  then  opened 
the  doors  of  the  cells  in  which  were  the  other  two, 
and  the  three,  after  deliberation,  released  the  officer, 
and  ordered  him  to  approach  the  door  leading  into 
the  guard-room,  and  give  the  necessary  signal  that 
all  was  right,  while  they  stood  ready,  on  its  being 
opened,  to  rush  through,  and  secure  the  guard  and  the 
arms  in  the  room.  The  officer  I'esolutely  refused. 
They  threatened  to  kill  him  ;  and  one  of  them  raised 
a  file,  sharpened  to  a  point,  with  the  intention  of 
carrying  the  threat  into  execution  ;  but  the  officer  re- 
mained firm,  telling  them  that  they  might  take  his 
life,  but  he  would  not  betray  his  trust.  The  other 
two  finally  interfered  and  saved  his  life,  forcing  him 
back  into  the  cell,  and  locking  him  in.  They  then 
passed  into  the  large  dining-hall  —  a  long,  dark,  and 
damp  room.  The  alarm  had  already  been' given,  and 
the  prisoners  rushed  from  the  workshops,  arming 
themselves  with  clubs,  knives,  hammers,  chisels,  and 
every  variety  of  weapon  within  their  reach,  forming 
a  band  whose  strength,  vileness,  and  reckless  daring 
could  hardly  be  equalled.  Men  of  all  ages  and  char- 
acters, guilty  of  every  variety  of -infamous  crimes, 
dressed  in  the  motley  and  peculiar  garb  of  the  insti- 
tution at  that  period,  and  displaying  the  wild  and 
demoniac  appearance  that  always  pertains  to  im- 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  133 

prisoned  wretches,  were  gathered  together  for  the 
single  purpose  of  preventing  the  punishment  which 
was  to  be  inflicted  on  the  morrow  upon  their  com- 
rades. 

The  acting  warden  and  some  other  officers  of  the 
prison  were  there  at  the  time,  and  were  naturally 
greatly  alarmed  at  the  consequences  likely  to  ensue 
from  the  conflict  necessary  to  restore  order.  They 
huddled  together,  but  could  scarcely  be  said  to  con- 
sult, as  the  stoutest  of  them  lost  all  presence  of  mind 
in  overwhelming  fear.  The  news  rapidly  spread 
through  the  town,  and  a  subordinate  officer,  of  mild 
and  kind  disposition,  hurried  to  the  scene,  and,  calm 
and  collected,  went  into  the  midst  of  the  officers. 
The  most  equably  tempered  and  the  mildest  man  in 
the  government  (as  is  usually  the  case)  was,  in  this 
hour  of  peril,  the  firmest.  He  instantly,  upon  his 
own  responsibility,  despatched  a  request  to  Major 
Wainwright,  commander  of  the  marines  stationed 
at  the  navy-yard,  for  assistance,  and  declared  his 
purpose  to  enter  the  hall,  and  try  the  force  of  firm 
demeanor  and  persuasion  upon  the  enraged  multi- 
tude. The  other  officers  exclaimed  against  an  at- 
tempt so  full  of  hazard  ;  but  in  vain.  They  offered 
him  arms  —  a  sword  and  pistol ;  but  he  refused  them, 
and  said  that  he  had  no  fear,  and,  in  case  of  danger, 
arms  would  be  of  no  service ;  and  alone,  with  only 
a  little  rattan,  which  was  his  usual  walking-stick,  he 
advanced  into  the  hall  to  hold  parley  with  the  enraged 
and  desperate  villains. 

He  demanded  their  purpose  in  thus  coming  together 
with  arms,  in  violation  of  the  prison  laws?  They 


134  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

replied  that  they  were  determined  to  obtain  the  remis- 
sion of  the  punishment  of  their  three  comrades.  He 
said  that  was  impossible  ;  the  rules  of  the  prison  must 
be  enforced,  and  they  must  submit.  At  the  hint  of 
submission,  they  drew  a  little  nearer  together,  pre- 
pared their  weapons  for  service,  and  as  they  were 
dimly  seen  in  the  farther  end  of  the  hall  by  those  who 
observed  them  from  the  grating  that  opened  to  the 
day,  it  was  difficult  to  conceive  of  a  more  appalling 
sight,  or  one  of  more  moral  grandeur,  than  that  of  a 
single  man  standing  within  their  grasp,  and  exposed 
to  instant  death  if  a  word  or  look  should  add  to  the 
already  intense  excitement. 

The  excitement,  too,  was  of  the  most  dangerous  kind  ; 
it  did  not  break  forth  in  noise  and  imprecation,  but 
was  seen  only  in  the  dark  looks  and  the  strained 
nerves,  that  showed  a  deep  determination.  The  offi- 
cer expostulated.  He  reminded  them  of  the  hopeless- 
ness of  escape ;  that  the  town  was  alarmed,  and  that 
the  government  of  the  prison  would  submit  to  nothing 
but  unconditional  surrender.  He  said  that  all  those 
who  would  go  quietly  away  should  be  forgiven  for 
this  offence  ;  but  that  if  every  prisoner  was  killed  in 
the  contest,  power  enough  would  be  obtained  to  en- 
force the  rules  of  the  prison.  They  replied  that  they 
expected  some  would  be  killed,  but  that  death  would 
be  better  than  such  imprisonment ;  and  with  look  and 
tone  which  evinced  an  indomitable  purpose,  they  de- 
clared that  not  a  man  should  leave  the  hall  alive  till 
the  sentence  of  flogging  was  remitted. 

At  this  period  of  the  discussion  their  evil  passions 
seemed  to  be  more  inflamed,  and  one  or  two  proposed 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  13  ^ 

to  kill  the  officer,  who  still  stood  firm,  and  with  more 
temperate  impulse  than  did  his  friends,  who  saw  from 
above,  but  could  not  avert,  the  danger  that  threatened 
him.  Just  at  this  moment,  and  in  about  fifteen  minutes 
from  the  commencement  of  the  tumult,  the  officer  saw 
the  feet  of  the  marines,  on  whose  presence  alone  he  re- 
lied for  help,  filing  by  the  small  lights.  Without  any 
apparent  anxiety,  he  had  repeatedly  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  their  approach,  and  now  he  knew  that  it  was 
his  only  time  of  escape,  before  a  conflict  for  life,  as  was 
every  moment  expected,  should  begin.  He  stepped 
slowly  backward,  still  urging  them  to  depart  before 
the  officers  were  driven  to  the  use  of  firearms  as  a  last 
resort.  When  within  three  or  four  feet  of  the  door,  it 
was  opened  and  closed  instantly  again  as  he  sprang 
through,  and  so  was  unexpectedly  restored  to  his 
friends. 

Major  Wainwright  was  requested  to  order  his  men 
to  fire  down  upon  the  convicts  through  the  little  win- 
dows, first  with  powder,  and  then  with  ball,  till  they 
were  willing  to  retreat;  but  he  took  a  wiser  as  well 
as  bolder  course.  Relying  upon  the  effect  which 
firm  determination  would  have  upon  men  so  critically 
situated,  he  ordered  the  door  to  be  again  thrown  open, 
and  marched  in  at  the  head  of  thirty  men,  who  filed 
through  the  passage,  and  formed  at  the  end  of  the  hall, 
opposite  the  crowd  of  criminals  grouped  together  at 
the  other  end. 

He  stated  that  he  was  empowered  to  quell  the  re- 
bellion  ;  that  he  should  not  quit  that  hall  alive  till 
every  convict  had  returned  to  his  duty.  They  seemed 
balancing  the  strength  of  the  two  parties,  and  replied 


1^6  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

that  some  of  them  were  ready  to-  die,  and  only  waited 
foi  the  attack  to  see  which  was  the  most  powerful, 
swearing  that  they  would  fight  to  the  last  unless  the 
sentence  of  flogging  was  remitted,  for  they  would  not 
submit  to  any  such  punishment  in  the  prison. 

Major  Wainwright  now  ordered  his  marines  to 
load  their  pieces,  and,  that  they  might  not  be  suspected 
of  trifling,  each  man  was  told  to  hold  up  to  view  the 
bullet  which  he  afterwards  put  into  his  gun.  Thisp 
only  caused  a  growl  of  determination,  and  no  one 
blanched,  or  seemed  disposed  to  shrink  from  the  fore- 
most exposure.  They  knew  that  their  numbers  would 
enable  them  to  bear  down  and  destroy  the  handful  of 
marines,  after  the  first  discharge. 

The  marines  were  ordered  to  take  aim  —  their  guns 
were  presented  —  but  not  a  prisoner  stirred,  except  to 
grasp  more  firmly  his  weapon.  Still  desirous,  if  pos- 
sible, to  avoid  such  a  slaughter  as  must  follow  the  dis- 
charge of  the  guns,  the  major  advanced  a  step  or  twoy 
and  spoke  even  more  firmly  than  before,  urging  them, 
to  depart.  Again,  and  while  looking  directly  into  the 
muzzles  of  the  guns,  which  they  had  seen  loaded  with 
ball,  they  declared  their  intention  of  fighting  it  out* 
The  intrepid  officer  then  took  out  his  watch,  and  told 
his  men  to  hold  their  pieces  aimed  at  the  prisoners^ 
but  not  to  fire  till  they  had  orders.  Then,  turning  to 
the  convicts,,  he  said,  "  You  must  leave  this  halL  I 
give  you  three  minutes  to  decide.  If  at  the  end  of 
that  time  a  man  remains,  he  shall  be  shot  dead.  I 
speak  no  more."  No  more  tragic  situation  than  this 
can  be  conceived  —  at  one  end  of  the  hall,  a  fearless 
multitude  of  desperate  and  powerful  men  waiting  foi 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS,  137 

the  assault.;  at  the  other,  a  little  band  of  well-disci- 
plined marines,  waiting  with  levelled  muskets,  and 
ready  on  the  least  motion  or  sign  to  begin  the  car- 
nage, and  their  tall  commander  holding  up  his  watch 
to  count  the  lapse  of  the  three  allotted  minutes.  For 
two  minutes  not  a  person  or  muscle  was  moved ;  not 
a  sound  was  heard  in  the  unwonted  stillness  of  the 
prison,  except  the  labored  breathings  of  the  infuriated 
wretches  as  they  began  to  pant  between  fear  and  re- 
venge. At  the  expiration  of  two  minutes,  during 
which  they  had  faced  the  ministers  of  death  with  un- 
faltering eyes,  two  or  three  of  those  in  the  rear,  and 
nearest  to  the  farther  entrance,  went  slowly  out ;  a 
few^nore  followed  the  example,  dropping  out  quietly 
and  deliberately  ;  and  before  half  the  last  minute  was 
gone,  every  man  was  struck  by  the  panic,  and  crowded 
for  exit,  and  the  hall  was  cleared  as  if  by  magic. 

Thus  the  steady  firmness  of  moral  force,  and  the 
strong  effect  of  deliberate  determination,  cowed  the 
most  daring  men,  and  suppressed  a  scene  of  carnage 
which  would  have  instantly  followed  the  least  precip- 
itancy or  exertion  of  physical  force  by  the  officers  or 
their  subordinates. 

This  conspiracy  caused  much  discussion  at  the  time, 
both  in  and  out  of  the  legislature,  which  finally  termi- 
nated in  the  building  of  that  part  of  the  prison  called 
the  North  Wing,  and  an  entire  change  in  the  system 
and  discipline. 

On  the  morning  of  June  25,  1824,  one  Walter  Watts 
was  found  dead  in  his  cell,  suspended  by  the  neck. 
The  following  lines  were  written  with  a  piece  of  coal 
upon  the  wall  of  his  cell :  — 


138  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

"  I  have  got  my  bane  and  antidote  both  before  me  — 
the  Bible  and  a  rope.  I  have  nothing  against  the  treat- 
ment I  have  received  here,  but  have  been  very  unfor- 
tunate in  this  life  in  many  instances.  I  will  bid  you 
all  farewell,  and  that  is  more  than  the  devil  would  do. 
I  never  asked  a  favor  of  any  man  in  my  life,  and  all 
that  I  now  want  is,  that  my  body  may  be  buried.  I 
believe  in  an  omnipotent  God,  and  trust  in  his  mercy, 
as  I  have  never  injured  any  man  so  much  as  myself. 
Death  before  seven  years  of  slavery,  and  be  like  a 
dog.  You  may  say  poor  devil.  If  I  cannot  have  the 
pleasure  of  my  own  blood,  no  one  else  shall  rule  over 
me.  I  would  not  have  you  think  that  there  is  any 
priestcraft  about  me.  Let  me  sink  as  a  stranger  in 
the  crowded  streets  of  busy  London.  A  few  will 
crowd  in  and  inquire,  and  then  let  me  be  forgotten. 

"  I  consider  this  (Sunday)  the  best  day  to  end  my 
troubles  on  this  side  the  grave. 

"WALTER  WATTS."* 

*  As  a  curious  sequel  to  the  above,  the  writer  would  relate  the 
following  incident.  In  1866  a  woman  of  quite  respectable  ap- 
pearance called  at  the  prison  to  see  the  warden.  Her  busi- 
ness with  me,  she  said,  was  to  ascertain  something  in  regard 
to  th2  effects  of  her  brother,  who  had  been  an  inmate,  and 
died  in  the  prison.  She  gave  me  his  name  —  Walter  Watts. 
I  said  I  had  no  recollection  of  such  a  man.  She  replied  that 
possibly  he  might  have  d'ed  before  my  connection  with  the 
prison.  On  examining  the  records,  1  found  that  he  had  been 
dead  just  twenty-eight  years.  As  his  effects,  which,  she  said, 
consisted  of  the  clothes  he  wore  to  the  prison,  a  Bible,  and 
razor,  had  never  come  into  my  possession,  I  could  give  her  no 
information  of  what  became  of  them.  "Well,"  she  said,  as 
she  took  up  an  empty  carpet-bag  she  had  brought  with  her, 


SKETCHES    AND   INCIDENTS.  139 

During  Mr.  Frothingham's  administration  as  war- 
den (1850-1),  one  J.  W.  was  committed  to  prison, 
on  a  sentence  of  sixteen  years,  for  robbing  a  bank 
in  the  vicinity  of  Boston.  W.  was  an  original  char- 
acter, born  in  London,  educated  and  brought  up  .a 
thief  from  childhood  ;  he  had  passed  through  all  the 
different  grades,  from  a  juvenile  purloiner  of  pocket 
handkerchiefs  and  house-breaker,  until  he  reached 
the  top  of  the  -ladder,  as  bank  robber.  Perfectly 
skilled  in  all  the  arts  of  the  profession,  he  was,  with- 
out doubt,  one  of  the  most  dangerous  and  accom- 
plished robbers  we  have  ever  had  in  the  country.  He 
was  the  very  soul  of  honor,  in  his  way  —  that  honor 
which  the  old  adage  says  exists  among  thieves.  His 
word,  once  given,  could  be  relied  upon  ;  he  took  great 
pride  in  saying  that  he  was  never  guilty  of  what  he 
considered  a  mean  action. 

He  was  fond  of  relating  to  those  who,  he  thought, 
could  appreciate  them,  his  exploits,  throwing  in  the 
light  and  shade  with  as  much  nicety  as  does  the  artist 
upon  the  canvas. 

On  one  occasion,  before  leaving  London,  he  was 
loitering  about  the  Bank  of  England,  when  a  carriage 
drove  up,  and  a  lady  .alighted  and  entered  the  bank. 
He  followed,  and  saw  her  receive  a  package  of  bank 
notes  and  return  to  her  carriage.  Quicker  than  thought, 
and  before  the  coachman  had  time  to  start  the  horses-, 
he  threw  off  his  hat,  and  with  a  pen  behind  his  ear, 

"  I  suppose  it's  my  own  fault.  I  ought  to  have  come  sooner, 
and  was  intending  every  year  to  come  down,  but  have  not 
been  able  to  till  now ;  "  and  wishing  me  a  good  morning,  sh* 
passed  out  of  the  office. 


140  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

he  ran  down  the  steps  to  the  carriage  door,  and 
accosted  the  lady  thus  :  "  I  beg  your  pardon,  madam, 
but  we  neglected  to  take  the  number  of  those  notes ; 
if  you  will  allow  me  one  moment,"  at  the  same  time 
stretching  forth  his  hand,  into  which  she  involuntarily 
placed  them  :  he  turned  upon  his  heel,  passed  into  the 
bank  by  one  and  out  by  anojher  door,  leaving  the  lady 
patiently  waiting  his  return. 

One  of  his  exploits  in  this  country,  as  related  by 
himself,  was  as  follows,  and  is  another  illustration  of 
the  patience  and  pertinacity  with  which  these  men 
will  cling  to  a  project  once  conceived  and  entered 
upon : — 

A  messenger  was  employed  to  carry  to  and  from 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  for  exchange,  the  bills  of 
some  country  banks.  He  was  a  very  cautious  indi- 
vidual, never  trusting  his  bag,  which  contained  his 
charge,  from  his  side,  or  his  hand  from  resting  upon 
it.  W.,  and  some  parties  associated  with  him,  entered 
into  a  scheme  to  rob  this  messenger.  Their  plan 
was  .(for  he  never  countenanced  violence)  to  obtain 
a  bag  precisely  like  the  one  carried  by  their  intended 
victim,  and,  by  watching  an  opportunity,  exchange 
them.  For  over  two  years  one  of  the  party  rode  either 
one  way  or  the  other  with  him,  without  being  able  to 
carry  it  into  execution.  Fortune,  however,  favored 
them  in  the  end.  One  day  tjie  messenger  was  seated 
in  the  car,  as  usual,  with  his  bag  on  the  seat  by  his 
side,  his  hand  resting  upon  it,  and  directly  behind  him 
one  of  the  rogues,  who  had  followed  him  like  his 
shadow,  with  a  duplicate  bag.  In  a  few  moments  a  lady 
.entered  the  car,  and  took  a  seat  on  the  opposite  side 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  141 

of  the  passage-way  from  the  messenger,  and  recog- 
nised him.  As  he  leaned  across  to  shake  hands  with 
her,  quicker  than  a  flash  of  lightning  the  bags  were 
exchanged,  and  the  ajob"  finished. 

The  prize  was  worth  between  forty  and  fifty  thou- 
sand dollars. 

On  another  occasion  he  informed  me  that  he  made 
and  fitted  the  keys,  and  had,  for  several  weeks,  the 
means  of  entering  a  bank,  waiting  for  a  sufficient 
amount  to  accumulate  before  robbing  it. 

In  the  affair  which  brought  him  to  this  prison  he 
acted  very  honorably  in  the  end.  There  were  three  in 
the  party,  and  the  money,  about  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars, was  divided  among  them.  W.  was  the  only  one 
sentenced,  he  having  pleaded  guilty  ;  and  he  informed 
the  officers  of  the  bank  where  his  share  of  the  plunder 
was  buried,  which  they  obtained.  Subsequently,  at 
an  interview  with  them  at  the  prison,  on  being  ap- 
pealed to  for  further  information,  he  slipped  off  his 
shoe,  and  took  from  his  stocking,  and  gave  them, 
about  seven  hundred  dollars,  which  he  had  smuggled 
into  the  prison. 

As  his  term  of  imprisonment  drew  to  a  close,  the 
officers  of  the  bank  were  somewhat  disturbed  with  the 
idea  that  he  might  possibly  pay  them  another  visit, 
and  consulted  the  writer  in  regard  to  it.  I  thought 
that  the  word  of  this  accomplished  rogue  could  be 
relied  upon  ;  and  as  he  had  then  but  about  one  year 
to  remain,  and  in  consequence  of  his  pleading  guilty, 
and  restoring  his  part  of  the  money,  there  could 
be  no  impropriety  in  their  applying  to  the  governor 
for  a  pardon  for  him,  with  the  understanding  that  he 


142  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

would  not  again  trouble  their   bank,  —  a  pledge  he 
readily  gave,  —  he  was  accordingly  released. 

He  very  soon  disappeared  from  this  vicinity,  and 
the  writer  has  never  heard  from  him  since,  unless 
when  reading  accounts  of  exploits  directly  in  his  line, 
and  bearing  upon  the  face  of  them  the  impress  of  his 
skill  and  ingenuity. 

The  following  account  of  a  young  man  who  served 
three  years  in  the  prison  is  selected  from  a  large 
number  of  similar  cases  which  have  come  under  my 
observation.  In  fact,  every  year  is  adding  to  the 
number,  not  confined  to  the  young  men  with  moderate 
salaries  and  slight  defalcations,  but  including  those 
holding  positions  in  church,  state,"  and  mercantile 
communities,  and  whose  "irregularities"  amount,  in 
some  cases,  to  fabulous  sums.  This  is  no  doubt 
owing,  in  a  great  measure,  to  the  extravagance  of  the 
age.  The  man  who,  a  few  years  since,  could  live 
comfortably  upon  ten  or  twelve  hundred  dollars  a 
year,  now  requires  double  or  treble  that  amount  to 
keep  up  with  the  times,  and  is  tempted,  in  maiiy 
instances,  to  resort  to  dishonorable  or  actually  crim- 
inal means  to  obtain  it.  It  is  -often  the  case  that 
a  young  man,  starting  in  life,  gets  the  idea  into 
his  head  that  his  predecessors  belonged  to  a  slow 
race,  and  those  by  whom  he  is  surrounded  are  not 
up  to  his  standard ;  in  short,  that  he  knows  a  little 
more,  and  is  a  little  smarter,  than  others.  He  be- 
comes impatient  to  make  a  fortune,  and  thinks  he 
has  only  to  strike  out  for  himself,  and  success  will  be 
certain.  This  is  a  mistake  which  ends  too  often  in 


SKDTCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  143 

bankruptcy,  sometimes  in  crime.  The  man  who 
would  shudder  at  the  thought  of  becoming  a  thief, 
or  of  committing  a  crime  that  would  send  him  to  the 
State  Prison,  is  often,  by  a  train  of  circumstances,  led 
on,  step  by  step,  till  he  becomes  involved,  and  then, 
for  the  want  of  sufficient  resolution,  or  in  the  hope  of 
extricating  himself,  alters  a  figure,  or  signs  another's 
name,  and  is  lost  forever.  As  these  men  have  often 
told  me,  the  devil  would  tempt  and  assist  them  into, 
but  never  out  of,  trouble.  The  incident  is  this  :  — 

On  one  occasion  a  lady  called  at  the  office  to  see 
me.  Her  object  was  to  ascertain  if  we  had  in  the 
prison  a  young  man  by  the  name  of  B.  I  told  her 
that  we  had.  She  asked  if  she  could  be  permitted 
to  see  him.  I  inquired  if  he  was  a  relative  or  con- 
nection of  hers.  She  burst  into  tears,  and  replied 
that  she  hoped  not,  but  feared  he  was  her  son.  I  sent 
for  him.  Never  shall  I  forget  the  intense  anxiety  with 
which  she  listened  for  his  approach,  or  the  shriek  of 
anguish  which  burst  from  her  lips  as  she  fell  into  his 
arms  when  he  entered  the  room.  He  was  indeed  her 
son,  her  only  son,  and  she  a  widow.  He  was  her  only 
hope  in  this  world,  the  prop  upon  which  she  leaned. 
She  had  toiled  for  him  night  and  day,  succeeded  in 
giving  him  a  good  education,  and  obtaining  a  situation 
for  him  in  a  store  in  a  flourishing  town  in  the  interior 
of  the  state.  For  some  time  everything  went  smooth- 
ly. He  secured  the  confidence  of  his  employers  by 
his  strict  attention  to  business  and  apparent  honesty. 
But,  alas !  in  an  evil  hour  for  him,  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  some  young  men  who  had  more  money 
than  he  had,  and  were  fond  of  spending  it.  And  he, 


144  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

actuated  by  that  false  pride  which  has  been  the  rum 
of  so  many  young  men,  endeavored,  without  their 
means,  to  keep  up  with  them  in  their  extravagances. 
The  result  was,  that  he  became  involved  in  debt,  with 
no  prospect  of  extricating  himself.  Exposure  and 
loss  of  character  and  situation  stared  him  in  the  face; 
and,  to  save  himself  from  the  dreaded  disgrace,  he 
appropriated  to  his  own  use  funds  belonging  to  his 
employers,  with  the  intention,  no  doubt,  of  replacing 
the  amount  taken.  A  fearful  experiment  —  a  fatal 
mistake.  As  well  might  one  attempt  to  check  a  con- 
flagration by  pouring  on  oil  as  to  recover  position 
once  lost  by  such  means.  It  was  the  old  story  re^ 
peated.  He  succeeded  in  making  his  accounts  appear 
correct ;  the  money  was  not  missed,  and  he  was  safe 
for  the  time.  Had  he  stopped  there,  all  might  have 
been  well ;  but  the  success  of  his  first  attempt  was  his 
ruin.  He  continued  to  abstract  funds  in  this  way  for 
several  months,  but  was  at  last  suspected,  detected, 
and  sentenced  to  the  State  Prison  for  three  years.  All 
this  took  place  without  his  mother's  knowing  it.  After 
he  was  sentenced,  he  wrote  her  that  he  had  been  en- 
gaged to  go  out  west  on  business,  which  would  detain 
him  two  or  three  years,  and  she  must  not  be  surprised 
if  she  did  not  hear  from  him  till  his  return.  He  had 
been  convicted  under  an  assumed  name,  and,  although 
his  mother  was  living  in  Boston,  he  was  in  hopes  that 
he  might  serve  out  his  sentence  without  being  dis- 
covered. But  rumors  that  he  was  in  prison  had 
reached  her,  and  she  had  come  to  satisfy  herself  in 
regard  to  them.  Shall  I  attempt  to  describe  the 
anguish  of  that  poor  heart-broken  mother,  or  the 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  145 

agony  of  the  son?  I  have  not  the  power.  Words 
such  as  are  at  my  command  are  inadequate,  and  I 
drop  the  curtain  upon  the  sad  scene. 

A  convict  died,  in  1864,  under  the  following  circum- 
stances :  — 

An  old  man,  a  German,  received  a  visit  from  a 
clergyman  of  Boston,  a  countryman  of  his,  who,  in 
the  course  of  the  interview,  inquired  of  him  if  he 
had  heard  from  his  son  within  a  few  months.  He 
said  he  had  not.  Pie  was  asked  if  he  would  like  to 
hear  from  him.  "  Certainly,"  was  his  reply.  "  He 
has  followed  your  example.  He  is  now  in  prison  in  a 
neighboring  state,  and  for  the  same  crime  which  sent 
you  here."  The  old  man  clasped  his  hands  in  agony ; 
he  could  not  speak ;  but  silently  and  sorrowfully  he 
took  leave  of  his  friend,  and  started  to  return  to  the 
shop  in  which  he  worked.  He  never  reached  it.  He 
was  found  sitting  upon  the  steps  leading  to  the  room 
in  a  fainting  condition ;  was  immediately  conveyed  to 
the  hospital,  and  every  effort  made  to  restore  him  to 
consciousness,  but  in  vain.  In  less  than  fifteen  min- 
utes he  was  dead.  He  could  endure  his  own  im- 
prisonment and  suffering  without  a  murmur,  but  his 
son's  disgrace  he  could  not  bear  ;.  parental  love  was  too 
strong  within  him.  The  old  man's  heart  was  broken. 
The  lack  of  discretion  and  real  kindness  on  the  part 
of  the  clergyman  needs  no  comment. 

Excessive  Joy  is  sometimes  quite  as  dangerous  as 
excessive  grief.     A  young  man,  who  was  serving  a 
long  sentence  for  burglary,  whose  health  was  failing, 
10 


146  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

was,  by  the  intercession  of  the  authorities  of  the  prison, 
pardoned.  The  trouble  and  shame  he  had  brought 
upon  his  parents  by  his  misconduct  had  weighed 
heavily  upon  him  ;  and  now  that  he  was  once  more  a 
free  man,  his  heart  seemed  filled  with  joy  at  the 
thought  of  his  mother,  and  the  anticipated  happiness 
of  their  meeting.  He  was  too  agitated  to  express  his 
gratitude,  or  give  utterance  to  his  feelings.  Taking 
my  hand  at  parting,  he  said,  "  Mr.  Warden,  though 
/may  neglect  it,  I  am  sure  my  mother  will  ever  pray 
for  you  for  this  act."  He  started  for  Boston,  where 
his  parents  resided  ;  met  his  father  in  the  street,  who 
accompanied  him  home.  On  reaching  the  house,  he 
caught  up  in  his  arms  a  little  sister  who  was  playing 
at  the  door,  rushed  with  her  up  stairs,  exclaiming,  as 
he  fell  into  her  arms,  "  Mother,  I  have  been  par- 
doned ! "  They  were  the  last  words  he  ever  uttered. 
Following  the  exclamation  was  a  torrent  of  blood, 
occasioned,  doubtless,  by  the  excitement.  A  blood- 
vessel had  been  ruptured,  and  in  a  few  minutes  he 
expired. 

The  following  anecdotes,  connected  with  this  year's 
experience,  are  very  good  illustrations  of  the  old 
adage  of  "  jumping  out  of  the  frying-pan  into  the 
fire,"  or  not  content  to  "  let  well  enough  alone."  A 
man  was  received  in  1864,  who  was  arraigned  in  the 
Police  Court  for  attempting  to  pick  a  lady's  pocket  in 
a  horse  car ;  he  was  convicted  and  sentenced  by  the 
judge  to  four  months  imprisonment  in  the  House  of 
Correction,  from  which  he  appealed,  and  the  case  was 
carried  up  to  the  Superior  Court.  He  was  again  con- 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  147 

victed,  and,  this  time,  sentenced  to  the  State  Prison 
for  four  years,  instead  of  four  months  in  the  House 
of  Correction.  On  conveying  him  from  the  jail  to  the 
prison,  lie  gave  me  to  understand  that,  in  future,  he 
thought  he  should  be  content  to  take  matters  as  they 
came,  without  attempting  to  improve  them. 

Another  similar  case  occurred  here,  where  a  man 
was  convicted  in  the  Police  Court  for  an  assault  upon 
a  boy,  and  sentenced  to  six  months  in  the  House  of 
Correction  ;  he  appealed  to  the  Superior  Court,  and 
was  there  convicted  of  an  assault  with  intent  to  kill, 
and  sentenced  to  the  State  Prison  for  seven  years. 

In  both  of  the  above  cases,  the  parties  served  the  full 
term  for  which  they  were  sentenced. 

At  the  time  of  writing  this  paragraph,  a  man  was 
committed  to  the  prison  under  the  following  circum- 
stances :  He  had  been  convicted  of  horse-stealing, 
and  asked  for  a  postponement  of  sentence,  that  he 
might  show  his  previous  good  character,  claiming 
that  it  was  the  first  time  he  had  been  in  prison,  or 
arrested :  the  district  attorney  acquiesced  in  the  post- 
ponement, intimating  that  he  would  like  to  make 
some  inquiries  upon  the  same  point.  Suddenly  the 
man  withdrew  his  request,  and  expressed  a  willing- 
ness to  receive  his  sentence  at  once.  This  sudden 
change  led  the  judge  to  suspect  that  he  had  not  told 
the  truth,  and  sentence  was  postponed.  The  next 
day  I  was  summoned  in  the  case,  and,  as  I  sat  in  the 
court-room,  he  was  brought  in :  the  judge  again  in- 
quired if  he  had  anything  to  say  :  he  arose,  and,  after 
casting  fugitive  glances  at  me,  admitted  that  he  had 
been  in  the  State  Prison,  but  hoped  his  honor  would 
be  as  lenient  as  possible. 


140  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

Perhaps  he  received  a  much  longer  sentence  than  he 
would  if  he  had  let  the  matter  take  the  usual  course. 

On  the  I  yth  of  July,  1860,  Charles  H.  Brightmore, 
alias  "  Spunky,"  was  committed  to  the  prison  for  the 
third  time,  on  a  sentence  of  seven  years,  for  u  breaking 
and  entering."  Brightmore,  although  but  twenty- 
four  years  old,  had  become  notorious  as  a  thief  and 
robber :  he  was  suspected  of  committing  crimes 
which,  could  they  have  been  proved,  would  have 
consigned  him  to  the  gallows.  Perhaps  no  convict 
ever  gave  the  authorities  of  the  prison  more  trouble 
than  he  did  during  his  first  two  terms.  The  third 
was  prefaced  by  the  following  incident :  I  received 
the  warrant  for  his  committal  on  a  Saturday  after- 
noon, as  I  was  stepping  into  my  chaise  to  go  out  of 
town.  At  this  time  a  convict's  term  did  not  commence 
till  received  at  the  prison.  Desirous  of  saving  him  two 
days,  as  he  was  in  the  jail  at  East  Cambridge,  I  im- 
mediately drove  over  for  him.  On  returning,  he  made 
an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  escape,  an  account  of 
which,  copied  from  a  daily  paper,  is  given  below. 

"  Spunky  again  sentenced.  Daring  Attempt  to 
escape.  —  That  notorious  villain,  Charles  W.  Bright- 
more,  alias  4  Spunky,'  must  certainly  be  uncomforta- 
ble outside  of  prison  walls,  so  reckless  is  he  in  the 
perpetration  of  crime.  Most  of  his  career,  though  a 
young  man,  has  been  spent  either  at  Charlestown  or 
South  Boston  ;  and,  after  but  a  brief  vacation,  he  has 
returned  to  the  prison  in  the  former  place,  receiving 
this  time  a  seven  years'  lease  of  his  old  apartments. 
The  offence  upon  which  he  received  this  sentence 
was  'breaking  and  entering/  But,  like  all  of  his 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  149 

desperate  class,  Spunky  was  determined  to  '  die 
game,'  or,  in  other  words,  make  his  transportation 
to  the  prison  no  easy  task  to  the  officer  detailed 
for  the  duty.  The  particulars  of  a  most  daring 
attempt  to  escape  made  by  him  are  as  follows : 
On  Saturday  afternoon,  the  warden  of  the  State 
Prison,  Hon.  Gideon  Haynes,  was  conveying  his 
prisoner  from  Cambridge  Jail  to  Charlestown  in 
a  chaise,  when  the  latter,  on  crossing  the  Eastern 
Railroad,  near  Prison  Point,  jumped  from  the  vehi- 
cle, and  ran,  with  the  greatest  speed  his  manacled 
wrists  would  permit,  down  the  track  towards  Boston. 
The  warden  followed,  leaving  his  horse  to  take  care 
of  himself,  and,  being  an  exceedingly  active  gentle- 
man, —  not  having  been  sufficiently  long  in  office  to 
boast  of  corpulency,  —  the  most  exciting  trial  of 
speed  followed.  The  warden,  however,  was  the 
favorite  at  the  start,  and  his  popularity  increased  as 
the  race  progressed  with  odds  of  ten  to  one.  The 
convict  often  made  bad  breaks,  owing  to  a  stiffness 
and  want  of  freedom  in  his  fore  joints,  and  the  gap 
would  soon  have  been  closed,  had  he  not,  in  crossing 
the  draw,  —  the  rail  being  laid  upon  a  single  timber, 
—  turned  to  look  at  his  pursuer,  made  a  false  step, 
and  fallen  into  the  water  ;  fortunately  for  him,  striking 
his  irons  against  the  rail,  and  unlocking  them,  en- 
abling him  to  use  his  hands.  The  head  of  the 
fugitive  soon  appeared  above  the  surface,  his  mouth 
emitting  a  substantial  stream  of  salt  water ;  and,  seiz- 
ing one  of  the  piers,  he  glanced  up  to  his  pursuer, 
exclaiming,  at  sight  of  a  revolver  in  the  hand  of 
the  warden,  *  Don't  shoot  me,  and  I'll  come  out ! 


I5O  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRiSON. 

While  Spunky  clung  to  the  pier,  a  boat-hook  was 
brought,  and  he  was  fished  up  and  secured.  When  at 
the  prison,  Brightmore  said  that  this  was  his  last  and 
only  chance  for  liberty,  and  inquired  who  the  officer 
was  that  had  him  in  charge :  when  told  that  it  was 
the  warden,  '  O/  said  he,  '  it  was  the  warden  —  was 
it?  Well,  all  I  can  say  is,  that  he  can  run  like  the 
d — 1 ! '  With  the  incarceration  of  this  fellow  the 
community  is  secure  from  the  depredations  of  one  of 
the  vilest  rascals  that  ever  infested  society,  for  Bright- 
more  is  one  who  does  not  hesitate  at  any  deed  for  the 
perpetration  and  concealment  of  crime." 

At  my  first  interview  with  Brightmore,  after  his 
committal  to  the  prison,  he  was  anxious  to  know 
where  he  was  to  work.  I  told  him  the  shop  I  pro- 
posed to  place  him  in :  he  immediately  replied  that 
he  would  not  work  in  that  shop,  but  would  work  in 
one  which  he  named.  In  a  matter  of  that  kind,  I  said, 
his  wishes  could  not  be  consulted  ;  if  he  worked  in 
any,  it  must  be  in  the  one  I  had  selected  ;  that,  in  fact, 
I  really  had  no  desire  to  put  him  into  any  shop,  unless 
his  conduct  was  to  be  better  than  I  had  understood  it 
to  have  been  on  former  occasions  ;  that  the  money 
received  for  his  labor  did  not  compensate  for  the  trou- 
ble he  caused  the  authorities.  He  persistently  refused 
to  work  except  where  he  had  selected,  and  was  con- 
sequently consigned  to  a  room  in  the  upper  arch  of 
the  old  prison,  there  to  await  future  events. 

He  had  on  one  occasion,  during  a  previous  sentence, 
obtained  a  knife,  and  forcing  the  officer,  by  threats  of 
violence,  into  a  corner  of  the  shop,  compelled  him  to 
apologize  to  him  for  alleged  ill  treatment.  By  acts  of 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS  151 

this  kind,  he  had  become  notorious  in  the  prison,  and 
prided  himself  upon  the  name  he  had  acquired. 

Days  and  weeks  passed  by  with  no  signs  of  relent- 
ing on  his  part.  I  saw  him  occasionally,  and  he  was 
evidently  becoming  anxious  to  compromise  ;  he  wanted 
to  know,  if  he  should  go  to  work  as  I  desired,  if  I 
would  finally  yield  to  his  wishes.  My  reply  was  that, 
when  he  went  to  work,  it  must  be  without  any  con- 
ditions or  promises  on  my  part.  He  held  out  about 
three  months,  then  sent  for  me,  and  said  that  he  was 
ready  to  go  to  work  when  and  where  I  pleased.  I 
then  said  to  him,  that,  before  going  to  work,  it  was 
necessary  that  we  should  understand  each  other ;  that 
he  had  evidently  been  considered  of  too  much  con- 
sequence heretofore,  and  allowed  to  have  his  own  way 
through  fear  of  him  ;  but  that  now  he  would  receive 
the  same  treatment  as  the  other  convicts ;  the  rules 
would  be  enforced  in  his  as  in  all  other  cases;  that  1 
had  no  more  fear  of  him,  and  thought  him  of  no  more 
importance  than  the  humblest  individual  in  the  prison, 
and  if  he  ever  showed,  or  attempted,  any  violence 
towards  me,  that  I  should  serve  him  as  I  would  a  mad 
dog  that  crossed  my  path,  and  my  instructions  to  the 
officers  would  be  to  the  same  effect.  With  this  under- 
standing he  commenced  work. 

He  had  been  convicted  on  a  charge  of  passing 
counterfeit  money,  as  well  as  "  breaking  and  enter- 
ing ; "  but  the  former  had  been  carried  up  to  the 
Supreme  Court  on  exceptions,  which  were  overruled, 
and  a  few  weeks  later  I  took  him  to  Cambridge  to 
receive  sentence  thereon.  Driving  over,  he  was  very 
much  depressed,  for  with  his  reputation  he  had  rea- 


[52  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

son  to  expect  a  severe  sentence.  Before  entering  the 
court-house,  he  looked  into  my  face,  and  said,  "  Mr. 
Warden,  I  suppose  it  is  useless  for  me  to  ask  you  to 
speak  a  word  for  me."  u  I  don't  know,"  I  replied  ;  "  if 
I  did,  might  I  not  have  reason  to  regret  it?  "  "  No  !  " 
was  his  answer.  He  was  called  up  for  sentence.  On 
turning  towards  him,  I  found  his  eyes  fixed  most  im- 
ploringly upon  me :  at  that  moment,  I  asked  permis- 
sion of  the  court  to  say  a  word.  After  stating  his  case 
to  the  judge,  I  remarked  that  I  was  not  without  hope 
that  he  might  be  made  a  better  man ;  but  in^ny  opin- 
ion an  additional  sentence  at  that  time  would  not 
accomplish  it,  and  if  it  could  consistently  be  done,  I 
would  ask  that  the  case  might  be  placed  on  file.  To 
this  the  district  attorney  not  objecting,  the  judge 
readily  consented,  and  we  immediately  left  the  court- 
room. On  getting  into  the  carriage  I  found  he  was 
crying  like  a  child  ;  a  moment  later  he  turned  to  me, 
and  said,  "  Mr.  Warden,  I  have  been  a  thief  from  my 
earliest  recollection.  I  have  been  arrested  over  twenty 
times,  frequently  on  charges  that  I  was  not  guilty  of, 
and  to-day  is  the  first  time  that  a  kind  word  was  ever 
spoken  for  me ;  you  shall  not  have  occasion  to  regret 
it."  I  never  did.  He  behaved  and  worked  well. 
Before  his  sentence  expired  his  mind  began  to  fail 
him.  On  leaving  the  prison  he  entered  the  army, 
serving  faithfully,  so  far  as  I  know.  On  his  discharge 
he  returned  to  Boston,  got  into  trouble,  and  was  sent 
to  the  House  of  Correction  at  South  Boston.  He  oc 
casionally  has  called  to  see  me ;  but  when  last  here  he 
was  but  a  wreck  of  his  former  self:  imprisonment  had 
done  its  work. 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  153 

From   the    many    hymns    written    by   convicts   on 
special  occasions,  the  following  are  selected :  — 

HYMN  FOR  THANKSGIVING  DAY,  1859. 

COME,  let  vis  join,  with  heart  and  voice, 

To  celebrate  this  day, 
And,  with  the  thousands  who  rejoice, 

Our  grateful  tribute  pay. 

For  all  the  blessings  of  Thy  love, 

For  mercies  vast  and  free, 
From  grateful  hearts  our  grateful  thanks 

Ascend,  O  Lord,  to  Thee. 

Though  here  confined,  and  may  not  rove, 

Our  spirits,  Lord,  are  free,  — 
May  mount  on  wings  of  faith  and  love, 

And  converse  hold  with  Thee. 

Look  down  from  heaven,  with  pitying  eye, 

On  all  Thy  children  here, 
And  send  Thy  Spirit  from  on  high, 

Each  waiting  soul  to  cheer. 

For  all  the  sorrowing  and  distressed 

Ascend  our  fervent  praj'ers ; 
O,  wilt  Thou  soothe  each  wounded  breast 

And  dry  the  mourner's  tears. 

For  all  the  loved  and  absent  ones 

Our  thojghts  arise  in  prayer; 
O,  be  Thou  still  their  Father,  Friend,— 

Make  them  Thy  constant  care. 

Through  all  the  changing  scenes  of  life, 

Protected  by  Thy  power, 
Still  will  we  trust  Thy  goodness,  Lord, 

And  gratefully  adore. 


154  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

HYMN  FOR  THANKSGIVING  DAY,  1860. 
"Thou  crownest  the  year  with  thy  goodness."  —  Ps.  Ixv  :  n. 

ALMIGHTY  GOD,  Thy  boundless  love 

With  blessings  crowns  the  3'ear; 
The  varying  seasons  speak  Thy  praise, 

Thy  goodness,  and  Thy  care ! 

The  Winter,  Summer,  Autumn,  Spring, 

Roll  round  and  ne'er  stand  still, 
While  each  fulfils  Thy  wise  decree, 

Performs  Thy  sovereign  will. 

God  of  the  Seasons,  in  Thy  name 

We  come  before  Thee  here 
To  sing  Thy  praise,  to  breathe  our  prayers, 

To  worship  in  Thy  fear. 

Thy  mercy  and  Thy  goodness,  Lord, 

Have  blessed  our  favored  land; 
The  bounteous  harvest  Thou  hast  given 

Our  warmest  thanks  demand. 

Broad,  smiling  fields  of  golden  grain, 

Rich  Autumn's  fruitful  stores, 
Reward  the  laboring  husbandman 

For  all  his  toils  and  cares. 

On  this  glad  day  of  praise  and  prayer, 

Let  every  creature  join 
To  bless  the  great  Jehovah's  name, 

Whose  favors  are  divine. 

Accept,  O  Lord,  our  praj^ers  and  praise; 

Our  numerous  sins  forgive; 
Guide  us  through  life ;  in  death's  dark  hour 

Our  ransomed  souls  receive. 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  1 55 

In  1861  a  young  Frenchman  was  committed  to  the 
prison,  on  a  sentence  of  fifteen  years,  for  robbery ;  his 
youth,  quiet  demeanor,  and  gentle  disposition  attracted 
my  attention,  and  led  me  to  make  some  inquiries  into 
his  history,  and  the  circumstances  attending  the  com- 
mission of  the  crime  for  which  he  was  suffering.  He 
was  a  mere  boy,  quite  effeminate,  and  his  general 
appearance  such  as  to  assure  one,  upon  the  first  glance, 
that  there  must  be  some  mistake  in  regard  to  the 
affair. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  enter  into  particulars ;  but  I 
became  satisfied,  after  a  careful  investigation  of  the 
case,  that  a  great  wrong  had  been  done  him  ;  that  a 
foolish  joke  played  upon  a  comrade  while  both  were 
under  the  influence  of  liquor,  was  construed  into  a 
great  crime  ;  and  he,  without  a  friend,  penniless  and 
ignorant  of  our  ways  and  language,  was  easily  con- 
victed and  sentenced  as  above. 

Governor  Andrew  having  granted  me  permission  to 
name  one  convict  to  be  pardoned  on  Christmas  day 
of  this  year,  I  selected  this  boy.  I  have  never  wit- 
nessed a  military  execution,  but  have  heard  such 
scenes  described  ;  and  when  his  name  was  announced 
in  the  chapel,  so  unexpected  was  it,  that  the  effect 
upon  him  was  not  unlike  being  shot:  a  sudden 
spasmodic  leap,  and  he  sank  into  his  seat  as  lifeless, 
apparently,  as  though  a  bullet  had  pierced  his  heart. 

I  could  not  describe  his  attempt  to  express  his 
gratitude  ;  it  was  the  genuine  outpouring  of  a  grateful 
heart,  and  given,  as  it  was,  in  his  broken  English,  it 
drew  tears  from  all  who  witnessed  it. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  addressed  to  a 


156  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

gentleman  who  was  an  officer  in  the  court  when  he 
was  tried,  who  became  interested  in  the  boy,  visiting 
him  occasionally,  till  the  war  broke  out,  when  he  re- 
signed and  entered  the  army.  It  is  the  history  of  the 
young  man  so  artlessly  expressed  that  I  cannot  for- 
bear giving  it  in  full. 

"  MR.  J. :  You  have  shew  me  so  much  kindness 
since  my  misfortune,  that  I  don't  know  to  thank  you. 
I  have  no  word :  I  am  not  acquaint  much  with  your 
language.  My  pen  may  be  cold,  but  think,  dear  sir, 
all  what  a  grateful  heart  can  says.  I  was  a  stranger 
to  you  ;  yet  you  have  helped  me  same  if  you  had 
known  me  for  years.  I  never  can  forget  the  many 
service  you  have  rendered  me.  I  was  sorry  that  I 
was  so  poor.  I  fear  to  have  given  you  so  much 
trouble.  If  God  spare  my  health,  be  sure,  sir,  I  will 
do  all  things  for  to  prove  my  gratitude. 

"  Pray  don't  mind  if  I  have  always  meet  you  with 
tears  in  this  prison :  you  know  some  people  weep 
more  easy  than  others  ;  but  for  me,  I  can't  help  it, 
partly  for  joy  to  see  you,  and  partly  for  unhappiness 
for  being  here ;  and  the  tears  you  have  seen  me  shed 
are  not  the  only  bitter  one  I  have  shed  since  I  was  in 
this  place. 

"  I  feel  very  unhappy.  O,  I  am  so  homesick ! 
Home  is  my  dream  day  and  night.  No  more  than 
fourteen  months  I  have  been  here.  O,  how  very  long 
they  have  been  !  Of  all  the  men  here,  I  don't  think 
they  find  the  time  so  long  as  I  do.  They  have  their 
father  and  mother,  and  brother  and  sister,  to  come  see 
them  —  me  none.  I  am  dead  for  all,  O  God,  how 
hard  is  my  life  ! 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  157 

"  Mr.  j!,  I  did  not  come  to  this  country  like  a  vaga- 
bond :  you  have  seen  my  papers.  I  can  go  back  to 
France  anywhere,  and  be  received  with  pleasure.  I 
was  young,  and  want  to  see  America.  I  come  to 
stay  no  more  than  three  years,  and  then  go  back  and 
make  a  position  in  the  world.  Fool  I  have  been  I  I 
have  lost  all,  —  honor,  name,  reputation,  —  all  lost! 
yes,  all  \  and  why  ?  —  drink  ;  yes,  drink  \  If  I  had  not 
been  drunken,  I  had  not  been  here  :  I  should  be  happy 
now  near  my  dear  father  and  mother.  O,  they  was 
always  so  fond  of  me  \  done  so  much  for  me  \  so 
good,  so  kind  \  See,  Mr.  J.,  what  I  give  them  for 
return  for  so  many  things  \  I  lost  all,  and  bring 
shame  upon  my  old  father  and  mother.  Am  I  not 
most  wicked  and  ungrateful?  Yes,  I  am  the  slayer 
of  their  peace.  May  God  never  let  them  know  I  am 
here  !  It  would  be  the  death  of  my  poor  mother. 

"  I  came  to  this  country  with  a  friend.  He  was 
always  sober  and  like  a  man.  He  is  now  dead.  Had 
he  been  living,  I  had  not  been  here  now.  All  the 
time  I  was  with  him  he  was  my  friend  and  guar- 
dian. 

"  I  now  fear  I  have  lost  you.  I  don't  hear  any  more 
from  you.  I  feel  all  alone.  Do  please  write  me  a 
little  letter,  if  it  be  so  short.  It  will  be  a  great  pleas- 
ure for  me.  A  day  does  not  pass  away  without  I  re- 
member you. 

"A.  D. 
"  Dec'r  28,  1862." 

The  following  letter  from  a  convict  to  his  wife 
needs  no  comment :  — 


158  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

"March  17,  1861. 

u  MY  DEAR,  DEAR  WIFE  :  I  received  George's 
letter  this  morning,  and  it  has  st>  unmanned  me  that  I 
know  not  what  to  say.  Is  there  no  bottom  to  this  bit- 
ter cup?  Can  there  be  no  end  to  our  trouble  but  in 
the  grave?  The  last  letter  I  received  from  you  was 
so  cheerful,  so  full  of  hope  and  love,  that  it  made  my 
heart  glad,  and  I  rejoiced  with  you  and  for  you  ;  and 
now  comes  the  anguish  of  despair.  I  have  been 
bleeding  from  the  lungs  every  day  for  the  last  three 
days  ;  and  should  this  continue,  this  is  the  last  letter  I 
shall  ever  write  —  the  last  from  me  that  you  will  ever 
receive.  So  do  our  sorrows  mingle  in  one  stream, 
flowing  to  the  end.  But,  my  dearest  wife,  we  have 
one  comfort  left,  worth  all  the  rest  that  earth  can 
give  —  the  light,  and  life,  and  love  of  the  blessed 
Savior.  Nor  sickness,  nor  poverty,  nor  pain,  nor 
death  can  rob  us  of  that.  O,  in  this  dark  and  sad 
hour,  let  us  draw  closer  to  his  side,  and  his  smile 
shall  chase  all  the  clouds  away.  He  passed  through 
the  garden  of  Gethsemane,  his  great  soul  exceeding 
sorrowful  even  unto  death  ;  and  O,  my  love,  remem- 
ber his  prayer  in  that  gloomy  hour  — '  O  my  Father,  if 
this  cup  may  not  pass  away  from  me  except  I  drink 
it,  thy  will  be  done.'  Love,  give  me  thy  dear  hand 
in  this  our  sad  Gethsemane :  let  that  prayer  now  be 
ours  — '  O  our  Father,  if  this  cup  may  not  pass  away 
from  us  except  we  drink  it,  thy  will  be  done/  My 
soul  has  grown  stronger  since  I  commenced  writing, 
and  I  feel  that  I  am  writing  in  a  presence  mightier 
than  any  earthly  sorrow.  Cheer  up,  my  own  dear 
wife !  We  have  but  one  more  dark  stream  to  cross, 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  1 59 

and  we  shall  enter  the  land  of  promise  —  the  city  of 
the  living  God.  Then,  O,  the  glory,  the  happiness 
ineffable,  that  shall  be  ours,  wandering  all  day,  side 
by  side,  along  the  flower-crowned  banks  of  the  river 
of  life,  —  no  more  sorrow,  no  more  anxious  hours,  no 
more  pain,  no  more  separation  forever.  Think,  then, 
as  little  as  possible  of  the  sorrow  of  the  present ;  but, 
by  constant  prayer,  live  in  the  cheering  smile  of  God, 
and  patiently  wait  the  fulfilling  of  all  his  purposes, 
and  all  shall  be  well.  .  .  .  Shall  write  to-day  to  Guil- 
ford  White,  &c. 

u  Should  this  bleeding  be  stopped,  I  may  live  some 
time  ;  but  if  not,  I  must  die  before  long.  .  .  .  But  do 
not  be  frightened  or  discouraged.  Trust  in  God,  and 
remember  it  is  always  darkest  just  before  day.  .  .  . 
And,  George,  too,  my  dear  child,  is  it  possible  I  shall 
never  see  thy  smiling  face  again,  never  feel  thy  little 
arms  around  my  neck,  or  thy  kisses  upon  my  cheek ! 
Your  letters  have  been  a  source  of  great  consolation 
to  me.  I  never  cease  to  think  of  you,  and  daily  pray 
to  God  to  take  care  of  you  and  keep  you  safe  from  all 
harm.  My  dear  son,  you  are  now  your  mother's  only 
stay,  and  you  must  be  to  her,  in  this  her  great  sorrow-, 
all  that  I  would  be  were  I  with  you,  and  all  that  a 
dutiful,  considerate,  and  loving  son  can  be  to  the 
noblest  mother  that  ever  boy  had.  Make  your  '  good 
nights '  long  and  tender  to  her,  for  the  time  will  come 
when  you  will  have  no  mother  to  say  c  good  night '  to. 
Cheer  her  up  when  she  is  sad,  with  your  own  soft 
hand  wipe  away  her  tears,  and  bear  her  crushed 
spirit  up  against  the  bitter  trials  she  has  to  endure. 
Perhaps  the  time  will  come  when  we  shall  all  be 


l6o  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

together  again  ;  and  if  so,  O,  how  happy  we  shall  be  ! 
If  this  is  not  to  be,  strive  always  to  be  a  good  boy, 
and  remember  you  can  do  this  only  with  the  help  of 
your  heavenly  Father.  Give  your  young  heart  to 
him,  and  pray  to  him  constantly  for  guidance,  and  he 
will  lead  you  and  all  of  us  safe  to  his  home  :  tJiere 
we  shall  all  meet  again.  Write  me  as  often  as  you 
can,  and  when  I  am  permitted  I  will  answer  your 
letters  with  a  good  long  one.  Always  remember,  my 
child,  that  '  a  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than 
great  riches.'  I  send  you  lots  of  kisses  and  all  the 
love  of  a^  fond  father's  heart. 

"  And  now,  my  dear,  deaf  wife,  I  must  bring  this 
letter  to  a  close.  God  only  knows  whether  I  shall 
live  to  write  another ;  but  we  will  trust  in  him,  what- 
soever may  befall  us,  knowing  that  he  doeth  all  things 
well.  Do  not  let  a  day  pass  but  that  I  shall  know 
where  to  find  you.  Should  I  live,  and  justice  is  not 
utterly  gone  from  the  earth,  I  hope  soon  to  be  able  to 
assist  you,  and  even  to  be  with  you  once  more.  My 
whole  heart  is  with  you,  and  will  be  till  I  die.  May 
some  kind  angel  minister  to  your  wants,  bind  up  your 
bleeding  heart,  restore  your  health,  and  bring  us  once 
more  together !  One  good  long  kiss  from  your  affec- 
tionate husband !  " 

A  young  man,  who  was  discharged  in  1861,  was 
very  anxious  to  join  one  of  the  companies  of  a  bat- 
talion then  about  to  leave  Boston  for  the  seat  of  war. 
He  applied,  and  was  accepted.  He  thought,  how- 
ever, that  he  ought  not  to  go  without  letting  the 
commander  know  that  he  had  been  in  prison,  and 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  l6l 

accordingly  informed  him  of  the  fact.  At  this  period 
the  authorities  were  not  obliged,  as  was  the  case  later 
in  the  war,  to  take  up  with  any  one  who  might  present 
himself,  but  could  choose  from  the  first  young  men  in 
the  state.  He  was  informed  that,  if  he  could  get  a 
letter  of  recommendation  from  the  warden,  he  would 
be  allowed  to  go.  The  letter  was  obtained,  and  the 
matter  settled.  He  left  with  the  battalion. 

A  few  weeks  later  the  attack  was  made  upon  "  Big 
Bethel."  Our  forces,  it  will  be  remembered,  were 
repulsed,  and  a  very  promising  young  officer  —  Lieu- 
tenant Greble,  of  the  regular  army  —  was  instantly 
killed  while  sighting  a  gun  ;  the  men  were  obliged 
to  abandon  the  piece  and  withdraw  ;  three  soldiers 
volunteered  to  return,  and,  if  possible,  to  bring  off  the 
gun  —  an  act  which  they  successfully  performed,  and 
with  it  the  body  of  Lieutenant  Greble  ;  and,  although 
subjected  to  the  concentrated  fire  of  the  whole  rebel 
line,  neither  of  them  was  hit.  This  young  man  was 
one  of  the  three.  He  reenlisted,  and,  in  an  assault 
upon  the  enemy's  works  before  Richmond,  under 
General  McClellan,  while  pressing  forward,  carry- 
ing the  regimental  colors,  fell  mortally  wounded ; 
and,  with  a  host  of  other  heroes,  he  rests  in  an  un- 
known grave  in  the  swamps  of  the  Chickahominy. 

A  few  years  ago  the  community  was  startled  by  the 
announcement  of  a  dreadful  murder  committed  in  one 
of  the  towns  in  the  state.  A  man  had  been  stopped 
upon  the  highway,  robbed,  and  murdered.  A  young 
man,  then  scarcely  seventeen  years  old,  was  arrested 
for  the  murder  —  his  own  father  giving  the  informa* 
II 


l62  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

tion  which  led  to  his  arrest.  He  was  tried,  convicted, 
and  sentenced  to  be  hanged.  At  this  point  some  good 
people  began  to  inquire  into  his  history :  it  was  found 
that  the  unfortunate  youth  was  terribly  ignorant.  He 
could  neither  read  nor  write ;  had  never  seen  the 
inside  of  a  school-room  or  church  in  his  life ;  never 
heard  the  name  of  God,  only  as  it  fell  from  his  own  or 
associates'  lips  in  the  form  of  oaths  ;  born  of  drunken 
parents,  he  soon  acquired  their  habits ;  in  short,  at 
seventeen  he  was  an  ignorant,  lazy,  drunken  vagabond, 
apparently  without  one  redeeming  trait  in  his  charac- 
ter. He  had  become  acquainted  with  and  married  a 
young  woman  quite  as  worthless  as  himself,  and,  in 
order  to  obtain  means  to  gratify  her  vanity,  which  was 
great,  he  took  his  gun,  and  stationed  himself  in  a 
wood  by  the  roadside,  with  the  intention  of  robbing 
the  first  person  that  passed.  He  had  been  there  but  a 
short  time  when  he  heard  the  sound  of  an  approach- 
ing wagon,  and  discovered  a  man  driving  alone  ;  he 
stepped  into  the  road,  and  ordered  him  to  stop ;  he 
did  so  ;  he  then  demanded  his  money  ;  the  man  hesi- 
tated, and  he  shot  him,  but  not  mortally.  He  begged 
of  him  to  spare  his  life ;  but  he  knew  not  the  mean- 
ing of  pity,  but  deliberately  beat  him  to  death  with 
the  butt  of  his  gun.  Such  was  the  history  of  this 
young  man,  and  the  crime  for  which  the  judge  had  to 
pronounce  the  awful  sentence  of  death. 

Now  the  question  arose  as  to  who  was  the  most 
responsible  for  this  murder  —  the  young  man,  his 
parents,  the  community  in  which  he  lived,  the  author- 
ities that  allowed  such  ignorance  to  grow  up  in  their 
midst  (this  was  no  isolated  case  in  that  locality),  with- 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  163 

out  taking  some  steps  to  eradicate  it.  Governor  An- 
drew became  exceedingly  interested  in  the  case,  and, 
with  that  keen  sense  of  right  and  justice  for  which  he 
was  noted,  condemned  the  community,  and  saved  the 
boy's  life.  His  sentence  was  commuted  to  imprison- 
ment for  life  in  the  State  Prison. 

I  have  given  a  description  of  this  young  man's  .con- 
dition at  the  time  he  committed  the  great  crime  for 
which  he  was  convicted ;  let  me  present  him  as  he 
appears  to-day. 

Enter  one  of  the  workshops  at  the  prison,  and  you 
will  observe  a  young  man  busily  employed,  whose 
general  appearance  will  be  certain  to  attract  your  atten- 
tion. In  height  about  five  and  a  half  feet,  of  good 
figure,  a  well-balanced  head  covered  with  light-brown 
hair,  a  high  and  finely-developed  forehead,  light  hazel 
eyes,  unusually  mild  in  appearance,  a  good  mouth, 
with  ,a  smile  so  sweet,  sad,  and  innocent  in  its  expres- 
sion, as  to  cause  you  to  wonder  what  crime  he  could 
commit  that  would  send  him  to  the  State  Prison. 
Enter  into  conversation  with  him,  and  you  will  be  still 
more  surprised  at  his  soft,  musical  voice,  the  child-like 
simplicity  with  which  he  expresses  himself,  the  good 
language  he  uses,  and  the  absence  of  every  expression 
not  in  keeping  with  an  intelligent  and  pure-minded 
young  man. 

What  has  wrought  this  great  change?  Ask  those 
philanthropic  and  Christian  ladies  and  gentlemen  who 
visited,  encouraged,  instructed  him  in  jail,  and  finally, 
by  their  influence,  saved  him  from  the  gallows.  Thank 
God,  we  have  a  few  of  this  same  class  in  this  vicinity 
—  ladies  of  fortune  and  refinement,  angels  of  mercy, 


164  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

who  deem  it  a  privilege  to  visit,  advise,  and  instruct 
such  waifs  of  society  as  was  this  poor  boy.  Would 
there  were  more  of  them  !  The  field  for  their  operation 
is  an  extensive  one,  and  their  reward  a  crown  of  im- 
mortal glory.  "  For  inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it 
unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have 
done  it  unto  me." 

The  following  incident  was  related  to  me  by  a  man 
discharged  from  the  prison  this  year  (1861),  verifying 
the  saying  that  "  truth  is  stranger  than  fiction  : "  — 

Some  years  ago,  a  gentleman,  his  wife,  and  only 
child,  a  boy  then  five  or  six  years  old,  visited  the  in- 
stitution. They  were  shown  through  the  workshops 
and  prison  by  an  officer,  who  pointed  out  the  differ 
,ent  objects  of  interest  as  they  passed  along.  The  gen- 
tleman was  inquiring  about  a  man  who  had  recently 
•been  sent  to  the  prison  for  life  for  murder.  "  By  the 
way,  this  is  his  room,"  said  the  officer,  stopping  be- 
fore one  of  the  cells,  the  door  of  which  stood  open. 
The  little  boy,  with  a  child's  curiosity,  stepped  up 
and  looked  in :  his  father  came  up  behind^  and  play 
fully  pushed  him  in,  and  closed  the  door.  The  little 
fellow  shrieked  to  be  let  out ;  the  door  was  immedi- 
ately opened,  and  he  ran,  sobbing,  into  his  mother's 
arms  ;  and  she,  brushing  back  the  light  curls  from  his 
forehead,  and  kissing  him,  said,  soothingly,  "  No,  no  ; 
they  shan't  shut  up  my  little  son  in  prison."  The 
boy  was  terribly  frightened  ;  he  turned  his  eyes  once 
more  towards  the  dreaded  cell,  and  for  the  first  time 
noticed  on  the*  door,  in  large  yellow  figures,  the 
"  No  — ."  The  incident  made  a  deep  impression 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  165 

upon  his  mind.  Time  passed  on ;  he  grew  to  man- 
hood :  his  father  and  mother  were  both  dead,  and  he 
left  alone.  He  became  a  sailor,  and  a  good  one, 
rising  step  by  step,  till  he  was  second  in  command  of 
one  of  the  California  steamers  sailing  from  New  York. 
But,  alas !  in  consequence  of  that  vice  which  has 
dragged  down  so  many  even  from  high  positions,  he 
lost  his  situation,  came  back  to  Boston,  sank  lower 
and  lower,  and  wras  finally  arrested  for  breaking  into 
a  store,  and  sentenced  to  the  State  Prison  for  four 
years.  When  received  at  the  prison,  he  was  taken  to 
the  bath-room  (the  usual  custom),  bathed,  shaved, 
hair  cut,  clothed  in  the  prison  dress,  and  then  con- 
ducted to  the  room  he  was  to  occupy.  Judge  of  the 
horror  and  consternation  of  this  young  man,  when  he 
found  himself  standing  before,  and  the  officer  unlock- 
ing the  door  of,  the  same  cell,  "  No. — , "  into  which 
he,  when  a  child,  had  been  thrust,  for  a  moment,  by 
his  father.  In  relating  the  story  to  me,  he  said  no 
one  could  imagine  his  feelings,  when  he  found  himself 
an  inmate  of  that  cell ;  every  incident  and  scene  from 
childhood  rushed  upon  his  mind ;  the  exclamation  of 
his  mother,  "  No,  no ;  they  shan't  shut  up  my  little 
son  in  prison,"  rang  in  his  ears ;  he  threw  himself 
upon  the  stool,  and  wept  like  a  child.  Gradually  he 
became  more  calm,  and  began  to  realize  his  situation. 
Reflection  brought  with  it  better  thoughts  and  brighter 
hopes :  instinctively  he  sank  upon  his  knees,  and,  in 
silence,  breathed  a  fervent  prayer  to  God  for  strength 
to  sustain  him  in  his  great  affliction.  It  is  a  conso- 
lation to  feel  that  neither  bolts,  bars,  nor  stone  walls 
cam  prevent  a  supplication  from  reaching  his  ear, 


1 66  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

though  uttered  in  a  whisper,  and  coming  from  a  State 
Prison  convict  He  rose  from  his  knees  with  new 
life  and  brighter  hopes,  and  with  a  determination  to 
redeem  his  lost  character.  He  served  out  his  sentence, 
and,  on  his  discharge,  with  the  assistance  of  the  late 
Governor  Andrew,  who  had  become  greatly  interested 
in  him,  I  obtained  a  situation  on  board  of  one  of  our 
frigates,  then  about  to  sail  from  this  port.  A  few 
months  later  I  received  the  following  note  from 
him :  — 

"  PALERMO,  August  7,  1863.      7 
On  board  U.  S.  S.  C .  > 

"MR.  GIDEON  HAYNES. 

"  Honored  Sir :  I  deem  it  my  duty  to  drop  you  a 
line.  I  should  have  written  you  long  ago,  but  I 
thought  it  might  be  best  to  delay  it  until  I  had  been 
long  enough  in  the  service  to  know  whether  I  liked  it 
or  not.  It  was  rather  hard  at  first  —  at  least  it  seemed 
so  to  me ;  but  now  I  can  say  I  am  perfectly  satisfied, 
and  was  never  more  at  home  in  a  ship  than  I  am  in 
the  good  ship  C.  I  have  the  good  will  of  all  the 
officers,  and  especially  the  captain.  I  am  cockswain 
of  his  boat,  and  he  tells  me  that  he  will  get  me  an 
appointment  as  boatswain  in  the  service  on  my  return : 
this  will  be  a  good  provision  for  me  for  life.  We 
have  had  a  splendid  cruise  of  it  so  far,  having  visited 
Lisbon,  Cadiz,  Gibraltar,  Genoa,  Leghorn,  Naples, 
and  this  port.  We  sail  to-morrow  for  Smyrna,  and 
shall  return  to  Genoa  next  fall,  to  winter.  Please 
give  my  respects  to  all  the  officers ;  and  will  you  have 
the  kindness  to  remember  me  to  one  of  your  men, 
William  McN.  ?  He  bears  a  hard  name,  I  know  ;  but 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  167 

he  was  always  kind  and  obliging  to  me,  and  it  is  dif- 
ficult for  me  to  forget  a  kindness  in  any  one.  ...     I 
shall  be  pleased  to  have  a  line  from  you  at  any  time. 
"  I  remain  your  sincere  friend  and  well-wisher, 

"E.  K.  G." 

A  few  years  passed,  and  one  day  a  gentleman  was 
shown  into  my  office,  who  wished  to  see  me.  As  I 
arose  when  he  entered,  I  was  warmly  greeted  by  one 
whose  countenance  I  did  not  recollect  as  ever  having 
seen  before,  but  who  was  a  fine  specimen  of  manly 
beauty.  The  mention  of  his  name  was  sufficient  — 
it  was  G.  ;  and  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing 
from  his  own  lips  how  he  had  risen,  step  by  step,  till 
he  had  obtained  a  position  far  above  any  he  had 
aspired  to  in  early  life,  and,  above  all,  to  learn  that 
his  resolution  in  regard  to  strong  drink  had  been  faith- 
fully kept.  To  the  use  of  that  alone  he  owed  his  fall. 
It  was  pleasing  to  know  that  by  refraining  from  it  he 
had  prospered  so  wonderfully. 

The  death  of  a  convict  is  a  solemn  scene  under  any 
circumstances.  How  sacj  to  die  in  prison,  away  from 
one's  friends  and  kindred !  for  the  best  and  kindest 
treatment  possible  for  us  to  give  must  fall  far  short 
of  the  gentle  care  of  a  mother,  wife,  or  sister :  to  leave 
this  world  surrounded  only  by  officials,  who  must, 
top*  certain  extent,  become  familiarized  to  such  scenes 
—  to  feel  death  approaching,  to  know  that  the  close  of 
an  ill-spent  life  is  near  at  hand,  and  no  sympathy  but 
from  the  stranger,  no  loved  one  to  receive  the  last 
word,  or  close  the  dying  eye — is  sad  indeed.  Thus  do 


l68  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

many  pass  away,  unwept  and  almost  uncared  for ;  be- 
fore the  grass  starts  upon  their  graves  they  are  forgot- 
ten, and  are  to  us  as  though  they  had  never  been. 

I  recollect  sitting  by  the  bedside  of  a  young  man 
who  died  in  the  prison  some  years  later,  listening  to 
his  last  words.  lie  had  no  friends  to  visit  him  ;  they 
were  all  in  England.  He,  it  seemed,  had  run  away 
from  a  good  home,  come  to  this  country,  got  into  bad 
company,  and  was  sent  to  prison  for  crime.  And  now 
he  lay  upon  his  death-bed,  with  the  knowledge  that  he 
had  but  a  few  hours  to  live.  What  thoughts  of  home 
and  loved  ones  crowded  upon  his  mind  !  He  had 
never  written  nor  heard  from  home  ;  and  when  I  in- 
quired his  real  name  (for  he  was  here  under  an  as- 
sumed one),  that  I  might  inform  his  father  of  his  fate, 
he  shook  his  head,  and  replied,  u  My  greatest  consola- 
tion at  this  moment  is,  that  my  friends  will  never 
know  my  sad  end  ;  for  O,"  said  he,  —  and  a  tear  stood 
in  his  mild  blue  eye,  —  "  it  would  break  my  poor  moth- 
er's heart  to  know  that  her  son  died  in  prison." 

He  passed  away,  and  was  laid  in  a  convict's  grave, 
with  rto  stone  to  mark  the  spot :  the  white  mantle  in 
winter,  the  tall  green  grass  in  summer,  wave  over 
the  hillock  that  covers  his  ashes.  But  that  poor 
mother,  if  alive,  perhaps  has  not  yet  given  up  all  hope 
of  seeing  her  dear  son  ;  but  with  every  passing  year 
that  hope  becomes  less.  And  when  she,  too,  shall 
pass  away,  doubtless  the  last  name  upon  her  lips  will 
be  his,  her  last  prayer  for  him  ;  for  such  is  a  mother's 
never-failing  love.  Let  all  others  detest  and  desert 
you,  sink  as  low  as  you  may,  there  is  one  on  whom 
you  may  rely  —  one  heart  that  will  not  be  estranged, 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS,  169 

will  not  be  alienated  ;  for  it  is  bound  by  ties  strongei 
than  hoops  of  brass  or  bands  of  steel. 

Prominent  among  the  incidents  that  have  marked 
the  years  of  my  connection  with  the  prison  is  that  of 
a  convict  whose  literary  productions  evinced  talent  of 
a  high  order.  In  my  possession  are  many  articles  from 
his  pen,  and  their  character  warrants  a  selection  from 
them  for  these  pages.  His  story  is  simply  this  :  — 

He  succeeded  in  obtaining  fifteen  thousand  dollars 
from  the  banks  on  State  Street  upon  altered  checks. 
The  ingenious  way  and  manner  in  which  he  proceeded 
to  lay  his  plans  and  carry  them  into  execution,  work- 
ing for  months  to  perfect  them,  showed  that  he  pos- 
sessed perseverance  and  great  shrewdness. 

Associated  with  him  was  a  woman  who  passed  as 
his  wife,  but  who  did  not  appear  publicly  till  after  he 
was  convicted  and  sentenced.  I  found  her  at  the  jail 
when  I  went  for  him.  Her  story  was,  that  she  be- 
longed in  Chicago  ;  that  she  only  heard  of  his  arrest  a 
few  days  before,  and  arrived  in  Boston  that  morning, 
and  was  to  return  immediately.  She  begged  for  one 
short  interview  with  him  before  she  left.  Her  request 
was  granted,  and  the  next  day  she  called  at  the  prison. 
Before  the  interview  closed  I  was  convinced,  not  only 
in  regard  to  their  relationship,  but  that  the  points  with 
which  they  were  not  fully  familiar  were  of  no  partic- 
ular value  to  persons  in  their  profession  ;  that,  be- 
tween the  two,  I  had  a  smart  couple  to  deal  with. 
She  asked  permission  to  leave  him  a  few  apples, 
which  was  granted.  After  she  retired,  I  thought  it 
would  do  no  harm  to  examine  the  fruit.  In  one  of 


170  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  apples  I  found  a  gold  dollar  (it  was  before  the 
war)  ;  in  another,  a  small  penknife.  The  latter  he 
could  have  had  by  asking  for  it,  but  she  was  not  aware 
of  that  fact.  The  first  letter  he  wrote  her  was  very 
ingenious.  It  was  written  upon  common  letter  paper, 
very  fine,  and  curiously  underscored  and  marked  up. 
The  first  glance  satisfied  me  that  there  was  more  in  it 
than  was  intended  for  my  eye.  I  was  not  long  in 
finding  the  thread  which  enabled  me  to  unravel  It. 
By  reading  every  other  line  of  a  part  of  it,  the  whole 
meaning  of  the  letter  was  changed ;  then,  by  putting 
together  letters,  words,  and  sentences,  which  were 
dotted  and  underscored,  another  complete  document 
appeared,  and  a  most  interesting  one,  too,  for  it  devel- 
oped a  plan  for  his  release,  giving  her  minute  instruc- 
tions how  she  was  to  proceed,  what  influence  she  was 
to  use,  and  how  to  obtain  it,  and  an  arrangement  for 
their  future  correspondence  through  magazines,  which 
she  was  to  send  him,  dotted  in  the  same  way  as  his 
letter.  I  copied  these  letters,  and  then  sent  her  the 
originals.  For  upwards  of  a  year  this  correspondence 
was  carried  on,  copies  being  retained,  and  the  origin- 
als sent  to  the  parties. 

The  plan  was  for  her  to  come  to  Boston  disguised 
as  a  young  man,  obtain  an  interview  with  Governor 
Andrew,  and,  if  she  could  gain  the  proper  assurances, 
represent  that  she  was  the  party  who  altered  and 
passed  the  checks.  She  was  perfectly  acquainted 
with  what  took  place  at  the  time  they  were  passed  — 
what  was  said  and  done.  She  was  also  to  take  with 
her  certain  acids,  and  was  carefully  instructed  how  to 
use  them  before  the  governor,  to  show  him  in  what 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  171 

manner  she  removed  the  ink  from  the  body  of  the 
check.  She  was  on  the  point  of  leaving  Chicago 
when  an  event  occurred  which  caused  a  premature 
explosion  of  the  whole  affair* 

By  a  remark  in  one  of  her  notes,  I  found  that  they 
had  opened  a  correspondence  by  way  of  the  "  under- 
ground railroad,"  and  that  communications  were  pass- 
ing between  them  which  did  not  come  under  my 
observation.  The  remark  was,  that  "  she  had  heard 
from  him  through  A.  B.  C."  The  question  now  arose, 
Who  is  A.  B.  C.?  They  were  the  initials  of  no  one 
connected  with  the  prison,  and  yet»it  must  be  some 
one  who  had  access  to  the  institution  and  to  him. 
My  first  move  was  to  visit  the  post-office,  and  look 
over  the  different  lists  of  letters,  which  are  usually 
posted  up  for  the  convenience  of  the  public.  In 
several  places  was  the  name  of  A.  B.  Cedar,  which 
was  not  to  be  found  in  the  Directory.  Satisfied  that  I 
was  on  the  right  track,  I  prepared  a  letter,  purporting 
to  come  from  Chicago,  with  the  proper  stamps  and 
post-marks  upon  it,  directed  to  A.  B.  Cedar,  enclosing 
one  for  the  convict,  with  an  understanding  with  the 
postmaster  that  whoever  called  for  it  should  be  care* 
fully  observed,  and  notice  immediately  sent  to  me. 

The  next  evening  I  was  informed  that  the  letter 
had  been  taken  out ;  and  from  the  description  given 
me,  I  at  once  recognized  the  person.  Early  the  next 
morning  I  sent  for  our  hero,  and  had  an  explanation. 
He  was  informed  of  what  I  knew  and  what  I  had 
done  ;  that  the  letter  had  been  taken  out  of  the  office, 
and  would  probably  be  delivered  to  him  in  the  course 
of  the  day,  and  that  it  must  be  passed  to  me  directly 


172  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

upon  his  receiving  it.  As  I  anticipated,  it  reached 
me  before  night,  and  was  all  right ,  except  in  one  par- 
ticular. It  contained  five  dollars  when  posted,  three 
of  which  the  "  mail  carrier"  had  taken  for  his  trouble 
—  the  usual  percentage,  I  believe,  for  such  services. 
He  was  employed  by  one  of  the  contractors  as  a 
teamster,  and  allowed  to  pass  in  and  out  of  the  yard 
at  his  pleasure.  As  he  had  been  excused  once  for  a 
similar  offence,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  make  an  example 
of  him.  He  was  accordingly  arrested  in  the  course 
of  the  day,  bound  over  in  five  hundred  dollars, 
which  he  forfeited,  disappeared,  and  I  have  not  seen 
him  since. 

His  plans  in  this  direction  having  so  signally  failed, 
he  quietly  settled  down,  and  turned  his  attention  to 
various  other  matters,  but  mainly  of  a  literary  char 
acter. 

He  had  two  daughters,  aged  ten  and  twelve  years. 
The  older  of  the  two  was  a  remarkable  child.  She 
corresponded  with  her  father,  and  her  letters  were 
among  the  sweetest  contributions  it  has  ever  been  my 
privilege  to  read.  I  cannot  forbear  giving  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  her,  addressed,  through  me,  to  Gov- 
ernor Andrew :  — 

"  PR ,  September  23,  1865. 

"To  His  EXCELLENCY  GOVERNOR  ANDREW. 

"  Dear  Sir:  I  improve  the  present  time  in  writing 
you  a  few  lines.  I  have,  for  some  time  past,  con- 
templated writing  to  you  ;  but  as  I  am  only  a  little 
girl  of  twelve  years,  it  seemed  to  me  a  great  under- 
taking for  me  to  write  to  so  great  a  man  as  a  governor. 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  1^3 

But,  as  1  hear  you  are  a  kind,  good  Christian  gentle- 
man, I  will  venture. 

"  What  I  wish  to  say  to  you  is  this :  My  poor,  dear 
father  is  confined  in  Charlestown  State  Prison.  He 
has  been  there  nearly  four  years.  My  mother,  my 
little  sister  Alice,  my  father's  brother,  and  myself 
came  to  Boston  last  April  to  see  you  in  relation  to  my 
father.  We  brought  with  us  a  petition,  signed  by  the 

mayor  and  all  the  principal  officials  of ,  his  former 

place  of  residence,  and  where  I  now  live.  You  were 
absent ;  had  gone  to  Washington  to  attend  the  funeral 
of  our  late  lamented  president.  I  was  very  sorry,  for 
I  wished  to  see  you  much,  and  talk  with  you  concern- 
ing my  dear  father. 

44  O,  Governor  Andrew,  could  you  but  look  into  the 
recesses  of  my  heart,  could  you  but  know  the  pain 
and  misery  I  have  suffered  in  these  four  years,  I  know 
you  would  feel  for  me.  Father  —  that  name  which 
ought  to  be  endearing  —  calls  up  untold  misery,  for 
with  it  comes  fresh  in  memory  his  situation.  This  is 
the  one  dark  spot  which  mars  my  happiness,  which 
clouds  my  young  life.  It  seems  that  death  would  have 
been  far  more  preferable. 

44  My  father  has  corresponded  with  me  for  some 
time  past,  and  such  good  advice  he  writes  to  me  !  It 
does  not  seem  possible  that  he  is  as  bad  as  he  was 
believed  to  be.  He  was  always  a  dear  father  to  me, 
and  I  should  now  know  how  to  appreciate  him  if  he 
could  be  restored  to  me.  And  Q,  Governor  Andrew, 
this  is  in  your  power.  Then  I  come  to  you  with 
pleading,  that  you  may  restore  him  to  me,  my  own 
dear  father,  and  make  one  heart,  at  least,  happy ;  and 
my  little  sister  would  be  overjoyed. 


I  74  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

'^If  you  would  pardon  my  father,  I  would  pray  to 
my  heavenly  Father  for  your  prosperity  and  welfare  ; 
and  believe  me,  you  would  have  my  grateful  and 
heartfelt  thanks.  I  would  remember  you  to  the  last 
day  of  my  life  as  a  friend  to  the  friendless.  I  do  not 
know  as  I  can  say  more  in  words.  I  cannot  express 
the  feelings  of  my  heart  in  words. 

"  Hoping  these  few  lines  will  meet  with  your  ap- 
proval, 

"  I  am  yours,  with  respect,          ELLA ." 

This  man  was  not  pardoned  at  this  time,  but  was 
about  two  years  later,  being  then  in  the  last  stages  of 
consumption. 

From  the  many  articles  in  my  possession,  written 
by  this  talented  convict,  the  following  selection  is 
made,  as  giving  a  fair  specimen  of  his  ability  and  the 
course  of  thought  in  which  he  indulged.  The  first  is 
a  description  of  a  scene  at  the  prison  on  a  Thanks- 
giving Day. 

"  Let  us  enter  the  gates  of  a  prison  in  Charlestown, 
Massachusetts  —  a  prison  for  those  who  have  been  con- 
demned to  servitude  or  hard  labor.  It"  is  Thanksgiv- 
ing Day  —  a  day  in  which  each  family  throughout  the 
land  gathers  in  a  domestic  circle  around  a  bounteously 
spread  table,  to  remember  with  thanks  and  gratitude 
the  Giver  of  every  good  gift.  What  the  festival  of 
the  Passover  was  in  the  land  of  Israel,  Thanksgiving 
Day  is  in  New  England  —  a  day  to  remember  the 
mercies  of  God. 

"  The  massive  gates  that  close  upon  us,  as  we  enter 
the  walls  of  the  prison,  have  by  no  means  closed  the 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  1^5 

mercies  of  the  day  without ;  for  each  one  of  the  four 
or  five  hundred  convicts  has  a  good  Thanksgiving 
dinner.  Although  the  meal  is  partaken  of  alone  and 
in  silence,  within  a  narrow  cell,  where  the  happy 
and  cheering  voices  of  friends,  kindred,  or  children 
never  reach  their  ears,  yet  even  they  have  reason  to 
thank  God  that  the  prison  is  so  good  a  one ;  and  they 
have  cause  to  thank  God  that  it  is  not  written  over  the 
entrance  door,  '  He  who  enters  within  these  walls 
never  returns.' 

"  We  repair  to  the  chapel  in  season  to  see  all  the 
inmates  enter  in  file,  old  men  and  young  boys,  black 
and  white  together,  all  clothed  in  their  party-colored 
garments,  and  with  automaton-like  regularity  take 
their  allotted  seats.  Surely  a  strange-looking  audi- 
ence to  worship  God  in  a  prison  with  barred  windows, 
and  under  a  vigilant  guard  of  officers  !  It  is  a  cheer- 
ing consolation  to  know  that  a  penitent  prayer  speeds 
as  direct  to  his  ear  from  the  depths  of  a  prison  as 
from  the  carpeted  closet  of  a  palace. 

"  In  one  direction  sits  an  old  man  whose  silvered 
head  and  furrowed  brow  proclaim  him  near  seventy 
years  of  age.  Twenty  years  ago  (1843)  he  entered 
these  walls  condemned  to  servitude,  hard  labor,  for 
life.  In  another  direction  sits  one  who  has  passed 
sixteen  years  within  the  frowning  walls  of  this  prison. 
For  sixteen  years  he  has  not  even  beheld  the  stars  of 
heaven.  The  tints  of  splendor  that  gem  the  morning 
and  the  evening  sky  have  all  passed  unseen  by  his 
eyes  —  a  prisoner  for  life  !  In  like  manner  we  might 
go  over  the  whole  number.  A  sad  history,  a  life's 
bitter  history,  lies  locked  within  the  heart  of  each  one 


176  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON". 

before  us.  In  charity  let  us  draw  the  veil  over  the 
past,  and  hope  for  the  future. 

"  The  countenances  of  all  tell  us  plainly  that  this 
is  an  unusual  day.  It  is  truly  a  day  looked  for,  each 
year,  with  the  liveliest  of  anticipations ;  for  it  brings 
with  it  a  happy  message  to  some  one  among  them. 
All  eyes  are  intently  fixed  upon  the  parch melit-roll 
in  the  hands  of  the  warden.  It  is  a  pardon  ;  a  pass- 
port to  liberty  and  happiness ;  a  gift  to  some  one 
among  them,  the  value  of  which  is  beyond  computa- 
tion. Sweet  remembrances  of  liberty  make  each 
heart  beat  like  the  strokes  of  a  hammer,  in  the  hope- 
ful prayer  that  his  name  is  written  there.  The  giant 
Despair  has  abdicated,  and  Hope,  little  monarch  over 
the  realms  of  future  happiness,  wields  the  fairy  scep- 
tre. Heavy  bolt,  dungeon,  and  midnight  blackness 
are  for  the  moment  forgotten.  A  wild  and  almost 
irrepressible  yearning  comes  to  each,  to  rush  into  the 
outer  world,  and  once  more  quaff  the  vital  atmosphere 
of  freedom. 

"  The  warden  comes  forward,  and  says  substantially 
as  follows :  — 

"  '  It  is  customary  here,  as  you  are  aware,  to  charac- 
terize this  day  by  the  bestowment  of  a  pardon  upon 
one  of  your  number,  and  to  make  it  a  lasting  day  of 
thanksgiving  to  the  one  selected.  Each  one  of  you, 
doubtless,  thinks  your  own  case  merits  attention,  but 
I  have  a  pardon  for  only  one  of  you.  Twenty  years 
ago,  one  of  your  number,  in  a  state  of  intoxication, 
committed  a  crime,  and  was  sentenced  to  this  prison 
for  life.  During  these  twenty  years  he  has  not  placed 
his  foot  outside  of  these  walls  ;  neither  has  he,  .during 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  1 77 

that  time,  been  reported  for  any  misconduct  what- 
ever. In  his  sober  moments  he  regretted  committing 
the  deed,  and  has  never  ceased  to  regret  it  from  that 
day  to  this.  He  is  now  an  old  man,  and  I  have  pro- 
nounced in  his  favor  for  a  pardon.  His  name  is . 

He  is  a  free  man,  and  will  find  a  son,  who  has  grown 
up  to  manhood,  waiting  but  a  few  steps  from  this 
place,  to  welcome  his  father  with  outstretched  arms, 
and  take  him  to  a  happier  home  than  a  prison.' 

"  It  needed  no  finger  to  point  him  out ;  for  all  eyes 
were  turned  in  one  direction,  and  every  heajt  rejoiced 
that  the  old  man  had  been  pardoned.  Such  is  a 
custom  that  has  come  down  to  us  from  the  time  of 
our  Saviour." 

The  following  selections  are  taken  from  a  little  vol- 
ume written  by  him  with  a  pen,  and  bound  by  him 
in  his  cell,  and  entitled 

"RANDOM  LEAVES  FROM  MY  DIARY. 

"  INDEPENDENCE  DAY,  July  4,  1863. 

"  O,  but  man,  proud  man, 
Dressed  in  a  little  brief  authority, 
Most  ignorant  of  what  he's  most  assured,  — 
His  glassy  essence,  —  like  an  angry  ape, 
Plays  such  fantastic  tricks  before  high  heaven, 
As  make  the  angels  weep." 

SHAKESPEARE. 

"  Those  lines  came  into  my  mind  to-day,  while  re- 
flecting upon  the  striking  difference  between  this  age 
and  that  of  the  Roman  emperors.     Reliable  historians 
tell  us  of  those  who  sat  upon  the  throne  of  the  Caesars, 
12 


178  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

who  frequently  caused  their  condemned  criminals  to 
be  cast  to  the  wild  beasts  —  not  as  a  punishment  or 
penalty,  but  for  an  hour's  amusement  in  beholding 
the  starved  lions  spring  upon  the  defenceless  prisoner, 
tear  him  in  pieces,  and  devour  his  body  before  their 
eyes. 

"  Whether  or  no  the  immortal  poet  had  those  scenes 
in  view  when  he  penned  the  above  lines,  we  will  not 
attempt  to  decide  —  at  all  events,  they  are  applicable 
enough.  A  different  scene  from  any  of  these  was 
presented  to  the  spectator  who  looked  into  this  prison 
to-day. 

"  Between  four  and  five  hundred  condemned  prisoners 
were  together,  chatting,  singing,  and  dancing  as  mer- 
rily as  troubadours  —  an  hour  of  unrestrained  liberty, 
within  the  walls,  was  given  them,  when  the  low 
whisper  could  be  changed  to  a  hearty  laugh  and  a 
loud  huzza  —  officers  and  visitors  engaged  with  pris- 
oners in  unreserved  conversation.  Then  came  a  dinner 
fit  for  a  cardinal's  table. 

"  True,  this  is  a  holiday  scene  —  a  picture  for  one 
day  only ;  but  there  are  several  holidays  each  year, 
and  the  remaining  part  of  the  time  is  not  so  very  dark 
and  gloomy  when  compared  with  what  prisons  once 
were. 

"  We  have  hard  and  thankless  labor  to  perform,  of 
course,  and  it  would  not  be  a  punishment  if  there 
was  not  something  severe  about  it ;  but  let  us  look  at 
the  bright  side  of  the  picture  to-day,  and  glance  at 
the  silver  lining  of  the  cloud. 

"  For  good  and  meritorious  conduct,  each  prisoner 
has  a  certain  number  of  days  deducted,  each  month, 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  179 

from  his  term  of  imprisonment ;  thus,  for  a  sentence 
of  twenty  years,  five  days  each  month  are  deducted, 
lessening  the  term  of  imprisonment  three  years  and 
four  months.  Again,  one  or  two  prisoners  are  an- 
nually selected  and  pardoned  solely  on  account  of 
their  good  conduct  and  their  own  merits.  The  friend- 
less stranger  has  as  good  a  chance  of  being  thus  par- 
doned as  he  who  has  rich  and  influential  friends.  A 
large  and  well-selected  library  is  open  to  all.  A 
chaplain  is  employed,  and  the  doctrines  of  Him  who 
came  not  to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners,  to  repent- 
ance, are  disseminated  daily  in  the  chapel,  and  every- 
thing is  done  that  can  be  to  raise  the  criminal  from 
degradation  and  crime  to  a  better  life. 

"  This  is  a  picture  of  refined  Christian  influence ; 
the  former  was  one  of  unrestrained  heathen  passions. 

u  There  is  one  —  the  mightiest  among  the  mighty  — 
who  has  been  so  instrumental  in  effecting  such  changes 
in  this  prison,  that  every  one  of  its  inmates  look  upon 
him  with  deep  and  heartfelt  reverence  and  respect. 
No  matter  if  the  world  outside  do  call  us  hardened 
villains ;  we  still  have  a  heart  to  revere  him  who  looks 
upon  us  and  speaks  to  us  kindly,  and  the  hundreds  of 
prisoners  who  are  now  here,  and  the  still  greater 
numbers  of  those  who  have  gone  out  into  the  world 
again,  —  no  matter  what  may  be  their  lot  in  life,  —  will 
carry  to  their  graves  the  happy  remembrances  of  the 
great  good,  the  repeated  acts  of  kindness,  which  he 
has  shown  them  while  they  were  in  his  custody. 
Need  I  say  that  the  one  we  esteem  and  respect  so, 
the  one  that  has  done  so  much  for  us,  is  our  own 
warden  ?  —  the  one  who,  leading  his  little  boy  with  one 


l8o  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

hand,  walked  into  the  centre  of  a  hollow-square 
formed  to-day  by  four  or  five  hundred  convicts,  and 
delivered  a  most  felicitous  little  address  of  about  five 
minutes'  length,  announcing,  among  other  things,  that 
the  Mississippi  River  is  once  more  opened  and  free, 
and  to  remain  open  as  long  as  the  sun  shines  on  the 
universe.  The  deafening  applause  of  the  Old  Guard 
upon  the  battle-field  of  Marengo,  when  addressed  by 
their  chief  and  sovereign,  —  Napoleon,  —  was  not  more 
enthusiastic  or  heartfelt  than  the  huzzas  that  went  up 
to-day  from  the  inmates  of  this  prison  at  the  con- 
clusion of  the  warden's  remarks. 

"  O  that  I  had  a  pen  of  eloquence,  that  I  might  pay 
a  just  trirute  of  respect  to  our  great  benefactor.  But 
alas!  '  Can  the  rush  grow  up  without  mire?  can  the 
flag  grow  without  water  ?  '  Neither  can  I  guide  my  pen 
eloquently  ;  I  have  been  striving,  but  I  have  striven  in 
vain.  Then  I  tried  to  select  from  the  vocabulary  of  my 
limited  language  a  few  embroidered  words,  —  which 
would  be  beautiful  upon  parade,  effective  in  battle,  — 
and  arrange  them  into  sentences,  so  that  they  would 
at  least  have  the  cunning  appearance  of  eloquence ; 
but  as  often  as  I  try,  so  often  do  I  fail ;  therefore  I 
relinquish  the  task,  not  to  a  more  willing  heart,  but  to 
a  more  able  pen. 

"  Let  our  actions  speak  our  gratitude  ;  let  our  loyalty 
to  the  right  speak  for  us ;  let  our  future  lives  speak  for 
us  more  eloquently  than  any  utterance  of  words  pos- 
sibly can." 

"A  REVERY. 

"  Whether  a  man's  misfortunes  are  the  results  of  his 
own  actions  or  crimes,  or  whether  he  is  the  victim  of 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  l8l 

another's  intrigues,  is  not  of  sufficient  interest  for  the 
busy  world  to  investigate.  That  he  is  in  disgrace  is 
enough  —  let  the  cause  go  by  unheeded.  Such  is  the 
world  in  general,  and  into  such  a  world  I  have  seem- 
ingly awakened  from  a  dream,  a  dream  of  real  life, 
in  which  I  had  built  many  castles ;  and  now  I  am  en- 
compassed by  their  ruins.  I  have  awakened  to  find  a 
bitter  reality  staring  me  in  the  face  —  I  am  a  convict. 

*  I'm  dreaming  of  my  journey 
Across  this  stormy  world, 
And  the  hour  when  my  boat  will  anchor 
And  its  tattered  sails  be  furled.' 

"  Only  a  few  years  more,  and  the  doors  of  another 
world  will  be  opened  to  me.  A  faith,  an  unclouded 
faith,  tells  me  that,  as  I  pass  through  the  portals  of 
those  doors,  a  Saviour  will  be  ready  to  welcome  me. 
Jesus  of  Nazareth  is  that  Saviour.  I  will  not  search 
all  the  world  over  to  see  if  I  cannot  find  another 
Saviour,  and  then,  after  finding  none,  exclaim,  '  His  is 
the  only  name  given  among  men  whereby  we  can  be 
saved,'  and  accept  him  as  a  forlorn  hope.  No,  my 
eyes  first  beheld  that  Saviour  standing  with  out- 
stretched arms,  saying,  '  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that 
are  weary  and  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest.' 
Such  unbounded  love  leads  me  captive.  I  want  no 
better,  I  seek  for  no  other  Saviour ;  and  may  I  ever 
glorify  his  name  in  thought,  in  word,  and  in  deed." 

FAMOUS  AND  FORGOTTEN. 

In  the  year  1862,  two  men  in  different  parts  of  the 
world  —  one  in  France,  the  other  in  Massachusetts  — 


1 82  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

both  engaged  at  the  same  occupation  —  writing  a 
book.  Each  is  unconscious  of  the  other's  existence. 
Both  are  writing  upon  the  same  subject  at  the  same 
time.  One  is  writing  "Le  Vie  de  Jesus"  the  other  is 
writing  "The  Life  of  Christ."  One  says  the  Holy 
One  was  simply  a  man  born,  nurtured,  and  at  last  ex 
ecuted,  in  Palestine.  The  other  says  he  was  Heaven's 
high  Messenger ;  that  he  suffered  and  died  to  save 
men. 

One  makes  him  an  infatuated  enthusiast,  the  other 
sxalts  him  as  the  Redeemer  of  the  world.  One  is 
writing  to  create  fame,  the  other  tries  to  serve  God. 
The  books  are  finished.  One  makes  a  sensation  over 
the  world,  the  other  is  looked  at,  read,  and  laid  aside. 
One  author  becomes  famous,  the  other  is  forgotten. 
One  is  Ernest  Renan,  the  other  a  prisoner,  No.  294, 
M.  S.  P. 

"AN  IMAGINARY  LETTER. 

"  CHARLESTOWN,  MASS. 
"  ERNEST  RENAN,  Paris. 

"  Monsieur :  I  am  a  prisoner,  you  are  a  profes- 
sor. I  am  a  plebeian,  you  are  a  patrician.  There 
is  a  vast  abyss  between  us ;  but  you  are  a  citizen  of 
France  —  the  land  that  gives  the  world  its  politeness : 
therefore  I  presume  you  will  give  me  audience. 

"  My  hopes  in  this  world  are  gone.  You  have  writ- 
ten a  book  which  aims  a  ponderous  blow  at  my  hopes 
and  expectations  in  a  better  world.  I  come  before  you 
as  a  humble  inquirer  after  truth. 

"I  was  taught  by  an  old  mother  —  bless  her  soul: 
but  then  she  was  a  plain  woman,  not  learned  in  many 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  183 

languages,  as  you  are.  She  never  went  out  of  the 
country  where  she  was  born  ;  while  you  have  travelled 
all  over  the  sacred  land,  all  through  the  Oriental 
world.  I  was  taught  by  her  that  God  certainly  dic- 
tated the  Bible,  the  whole  of  it,  — '  All  Scripture  is 
given  by  inspiration  of  God,'  —  and  that  each  leaf  of 
that  volume  was  a  layer  of  stone,  rising  one  above  the 
other,  the  whole  forming  an  imperishable  monument 
of  his  love  and  mercy.  I  was  taught  that  it  was  his 
word,  so  plain  that  every  one  could  understand  it ; 
that  it  was  not  surrounded  by  a  mist  and  cloud  which 
could  be  pierced  by  a  few  persons  only,  and  then 
merely  by  those  who  confined  their  attention  to  it 
solely.  I  was  led  to  believe  that  God  is  willing  to 
teach  his  word  and  will  to  every  one  who  will  ear- 
nestly read  it,  relying  upon  him  for  directions,  and 
that  it  is  a  plain  and  simple  statement  of  things  that 
had  been,  things  that  were,  and  things  to  come,  with 
their  connection  with  the  eternal  laws  by  which  God 
governs  mankind. 

"  But  if  it  is  true  that  the  Bible  is  only  a  book  of 
allegories  and  misstatements,  then  it  must  be  very  un- 
like the  Being  who,  I  have  believed,  dictated  it- — him 
who  is  essential  Truth,  unsullied  Purity,  an  unchan- 
ging Lord  and  Creator.  It  cannot  be  what  he  declares 
it  to  be  —  the  only  guide  to  eternal  salvation,  the  only 
guide  to  purity  of  heart  —  a  guide  so  simple  that  the 
wayfaring  man  need  not  err  in  interpreting  its  lan- 
guage. 

"  It  cannot  be  a  certain  teacher,  if  all  it  says  is  so- 
mystical  that  several  constructions  can  be  put  upon 
it,  each  one,  seemingly,  to  human  wisdom,  as  likely 


I&4  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

to  be  true  as  the  other.  This  is  scarcely  any  better 
than  a  book  entirely  meaningless.  A  book  with  one 
page  of  truth  and  the  next  a  misstatement,  one  page 
of  veritable  history  and  the  next  a  pious  fraud,  is  en- 
titled to  no  respect. 

"  I  am  unwilling  to  believe  the  Bible  such  a  book.  I 
am  unwilling  to  believe  that  such  a  book  could  be  dic- 
tated by  God ;  for  it  is  not  consistent  with  the  char- 
acter of  Him  who  is  the  source  of  all  truth  and  intel- 
ligence. But  if  your  superior  learning  and  profound 
researches  have  enabled  you  to  discover,  pronounce, 
and  prove  it  a  book  of  that  character,  will  you 
please  enlighten  me  regarding  the  following  circum- 
stances? 

"  When  God  promised  Abraham  that  his  posterity 
should  take  possession  of  Canaan,  did  Abraham  un- 
derstand by  it  some  mythical  allegory,  by  which  he 
was  promised  immense  blessings  of  some  kind,  but  of 
'what  kind  he  could  only  understand  until  after  a  great 
deal  of  reflection  and  study  ?  I  have  been  led  to  be- 
lieve that  he  understood  God  as  meaning  literally  what 
he  said,  and  that  God  fulfilled  his  promise  as  literally 
as  he  uttered  it. 

"  I  have  heard  that  the  sons  of  Ishmael  are  still  wan- 
derers in  the  desert  —  their  hand  against  every  one, 
and  every  one's  hand  against  them,  just  as  literally  as 
God  predicted  it  should  be. 

"Were  not  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  destroyed  by  fire, 
as  it  was  said?  Has  not  Tyre  become  a  ruin,  so  that 
where  Hiram,  king  of  Tyre,  once  swrayed  his  sceptre 
in  magnificence  and  pride,  now  the  stork  of  the  desert 
broods,  and  fishers  spread  their  nets  ?  Did  not  Baby- 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  185 

Ion  fall?  Was  not  Jerusalem  destroyed?  Or  are 
these  prophecies  vain  and  empty  words,  which  have 
not  been  fulfilled,  and  which  history  and  your  own 
personal  travels  in  those  countries  do  not  substan- 
tiate ? 

u  These  things  were  all  written  by  the  hand  of 
prophecy  very  plainly ;  and,  if  they  have  been  ful- 
filled, was  it  not  at  least  a  very  wonderful  and  strik- 
ing coincidence  of  facts  with  prophecy? 

u  I  was  taught  that  the  prophecies  which  relate  to 
the  Messiah  were  literally  fulfilled  in  Christ.  In  the 
books  of  the  Old  Testament,  it  is  distinctly  foretold 
of  him  what  he  is  to  be  ;  of  whom  descended  ;  what 
kind  of  a  life  he  is  to  lead  ;  what  sorrows  he  should 
endure ;  how  he  should  sustain  himself  under  them  ; 
what  should  be  the  manner  of  his  death  ;  what  indig- 
nities should  attend  it ;  and  that  the  Jews,  of  which 
nation  he  should  come,  should  reject  him.  All  these 
things  are  clearly  written,  and,  if  they  do  not  mean 
Christ,  will  you  please  tell  me  whom  they  do  mean  ?  But, 
perhaps,  it  is  all  an  allegory.  If  so,  will  you  be  so 
kind  as  to  tell  me  where  the  allegories  commence,  and 
where  end,  and  how  to  distinguish  them  from  the 
balance  of  the  writings?  I  wish  to  be  a  consistent 
man.  Will  you  have  the  kindness  to  tell  me  how  I 
can  be  consistent  in  accepting  certain  portions  of  the 
Bible,  and  rejecting  the  balance?  Will  the  same  rule 
of  consistency,  which  I  doubt  not  you  will  be  able  to 
give  me,  be  a  proper  one  for  one  of  my  friends,  who 
may  choose  to  make  a  sweeping  rejection  of  all  but 
that  one  paragraph,  '  Drink  no  longer  water,  but  use 
a  little  wine  for  thy  stomach's  sake  and  thine  often 


1 86  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

infirmities '  ?  After  you  give  me  the  rule  of  consisten- 
cy to  govern  me,  please  tell  me  what  warrant  I  shall 
have  to  get  over  that  last  paragraph  of  the  Bible, 
which  reads,  '  And  if  any  man  shall  take  away  from 
the  words  of  the  book  of  this  prophecy,  God  shall 
take  away  his  part  out  of  the  book  of  life.' 

"  You  say  that  Jesus  of  Nazareth  was  but  a  mortal 
man  ;  tell  me,  were  the  twelve  apostles,  and  Saul  of 
Tarsus  (a  pupil  of  Gamaliel),  and  the  countless  early 
martyrs,  all  addle-pated  men,  who  laid  down  their 
lives  for  an  idle  infatuation? 

'  Whence  but  from  heaven  could  men  unskilled  in  arts 
In  several  ages  born  —  in  several  parts 
Weave  such  agreeing  truths?    Or  how,  or  why, 
Should  all  conspire  to  cheat  us  with  a  lie? 
Unasked  their  pains,  ungrateful  their  advice, 
Starving  their  gains,  and  martyrdom  their  price.' 

And  those  seven  churches,  —  Ephesus,  Smyrna,  Per- 
gamos,  Thyatira,  Sardis,  Philadelphia,  and  Laodicea 
—  referred  to  in  the  prophecy  of  St.  John  —  are  they 
still  extant  and  unchanged,  or  did  they  meet  their 
doom  as  literally  as  it  was  pronounced?  I  ask  this 
of  you,  because  I  suppose  you  to  be  acquainted  with 
the  facts,  having  visited  those  scenes. 

"  I  have  seen  before  now,  printed  in  large  letters 
upon  play-bills,  '  SATAN  IN  PARIS.'  I  supposed  the 
character  represented  was  a  myth  —  perhaps  I  am 
mistaken.  Is  that  individual  really  a  resident  of 
Paris?  Have  you  any  acquaintance  with  his  Satanic 
majesty?  It  is  said  that  he  declaims  brilliantly  and 
beautifully,  and  writes  in  smooth,  silken,  and  melliflu 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  187 

ous  strains.     And   no  marvel,  for  '  Satan  himself  is 
transformed  into  an  angel  of  light.' 
"  Anxiously  awaiting  your  reply, 
"  I  am,  respectfully, 

"  Prisoner  294,  M.  S.  P." 

The  following  article  he  calls 

"A  WAYSIDE  THOUGHT. 

"  The  same  cause  on  different  subjects  will  very  often 
produce  different  effects.  Thus  the  sun  hardens  clay, 
while  it  softens  wax.  A  prison  punishment  hardens 
some,  causing  them  to  cast  away  all  self-respect,  and 
to  throw  off  all  restraints  of  society,  and  the  laws  of 
the  land,  when  they  go  forth  into  the  vortex  of  life 
again,  seeking  their  highest  good  in  sinful  and  unholy 
pleasures. 

"  It  causes  others  to  say  with  the  Psalmist,  *  It  is 
good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted,  that  I  might 
learn  thy  statutes.' " 

And  this,  — 

"ANOTHER  NEW  PRISONER. 

"  How  often  does  each  one  of  us  inaudibly  utter  these 
words  as  we  see  a  new  comer  being  marched  into  the 
shop  under  guard,  to  commence  his  term  of  hard 
labor !  The  pantomimic  questions  are  soon  asked, 
'How  long  have  you  to  stay?'  'What  for?'  'How 
did  it  happen?'  'What  caused  it?' 

"  Here  is  the  story  of  one ;  his  number  is  288 :  A 
few  short  years  ago  he  was  at  school.  While  in  the 


1 88  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

recitation-room,  one  summer  afternoon,  the  principal 
sent  for  him,  and  said  he  was  wanted  at  home  —  a 
message  had  just  come  for  him.  He  took  his  cap  and 
left,  but  had  proceeded  but  a  few  yards  from  the  acad- 
emy before  he  was  greeted  with  bursts  of  laughter 
from  two  of  his  companions,  who  had  ;  plaj^ed  such 
a  nice  trick  on  the  principal '  to  get  him  out  of 
school.  He  was  about  to  return,  saying  he  would 
get  punished  ;  but  they  jingled  money  in  his  ear,  and 
said,  'No  one  will  ever  find  it  out  —  come  with  us.' 

u  That  night  found  the  trio  within  the  walls  of  a  low 
place  of  amusement.  c  That,'  said  he,  c  was  my  first 
step  towards  this  place.' 

"  Years  pass  by,  and  still  he  keeps  company  with 
the  same  boys  ;  the  theatre  is  visited  frequently,  and  a 
glass  of  wine  is  now  taken  between  the  plays.  Time 
glides  along.  He  has  learned  to  drink  gracefully  with 
the  young  gentlemen  of  his  age,  and  swear  genteelly 
—  ay,  and  get  drunk. 

"  The  war  breaks  out ;  he  enlists  as  a  soldier. 
'  That  will  keep  him  steady/  says  Mr.  Wiseacre.  He 
gets  a  leave  of  absence  for  a  day  from  his  regiment ; 
he  must  have  two  or  three  good  glasses  before  he 
leaves  for  the  seat  of  war  ;  he  drinks.  That  night  he 
is  '  enticed  oy  her  who  sits  in  the  market-places.' 
He  drinks  again  —  fills  the  cup  to  the  sparkling  brim. 
The  morning  finds  him  in  a  prison.  Some  said  he 
was  dead  ;  others  said  he  was  dying ;  others  that  he 
was  drunk.  He  comes  to  consciousness,  and  is  told 
that  he  is  a  murderer. 

"  One  good  man  takes  him  kindly  by  the  hand,  and 
says,  'My  friend,  what  caused  this  sad  affair?' 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  l&(j 

c  Brandy,  brandy,'  he  cried  out,  despairingly.  '  Curse 
the  wretches !  why  did  they  give  it  to  me  when  Ihey 
knew  it  would  make  me  mad?'  The  good  Tian 
comes  to  see  him  again  a  few  days  afterwards,  and 
said,  c  My  friend,  you  had  gay  companions :  you 
were  the  hale  fellow  well  met  among  them.  Do  they 
come  to  see  you  now,  and  comfort  you,  and  tell  you 
to  hope  for  the  best?'  'Ah,  no!'  said  our  pris- 
oner, sadly  ;  4 1  find  they  don't  come  to  see  me  when 
I  am  sick,  and  in  prison,  and  hungry ;  but  I  will  try 
to  meet  things  with  a  calm  face.'  How  sorrowful  he 
looked  then!  and  so  young,  —  scarcely  twenty  years 
of  age,  —  with  a  fearful  doom  staring  him  coldly  in 
the  face. 

u  The  day  for  him  to  plead  to  the  indictment  soon 
came  around.  He  stood  tremblingly  in  the  prisoners' 
dock,  while  the  clerk  of  the  court  read  the  indictment 
against  him.  The  last  words  came  —  'What  say 
you  ?  Guilty  or  not  guilty  ? '  There  was  a  pause  —  not 
a  whisper  was  heard.  He  answers,  '  Guilty?  His 
sentence  was  then  read  to  him,  '  to  be  confined  at 
hard  labor  for  the  term  of  twenty  years  in  the  State 
Prison  at  Charlestown.' 

"The  romance  of  life  has  ended,  and  the  reality 
commenced." 

"A  MIDDAY  REVERY. 

"  In  my  cell ;  the  key  is  turned  ;  the  count  is  taken  ; 
the  pater-noster  uttered ;  and  now  for  my  dining- 
room.  No  aromatic  odors  float  in  the  air,  quickening 
the  appetite ;  no  little  Alice,  with  laughing  face ;  no 
petite  Ella,  with  curling* hair,  are  awaiting  me  now; 


1^0  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

but  a  stool,  a  pine  table,  and  for  my  banquet  —  Well, 
begone,  murmurs  !  memories  of  the  past,  begone  !  All 
—  all  is  lost !  No,  not  all :  I  have  a  hope  in  another 
world.  Step  by  step  we  become  accustomed  to  what 
happens  —  gradually  pushed  from  one  stand-point  to 
another,  we  learn  to  submit.  Wonderful  is  the  power 
of  adaptation  in  man !  to  climate,  temperature,  and 
every  kind  of  food  and  clothing ;  to  every  variety  of 
habit,  condition,  and  circumstances.  Give  him  sway, 
and  he  is  a  very  lord  paramount,  attempting  things 
gigantic  in  their  conception  and  bearing.  Let  the 
hand  be  put  forth  against  him,  he  does  not  fall ;  he 
may  stagger,  sway,  and  be  carried  with  the  current 
for  the  time  being ;  but  he  recovers,  and  adapts  him- 
self to  his  new  state.  He  sees  things  in  a  new  light, 
and  his  opinions  alter  accordingly.  Does  misfortune 
still  pursue  him,  —  instead  of  crouching,  crushed  and 
disheartened,  he  stands  up  and  proclaims  aloud  that 
it  is  only  in  adversity  and  quietude  that  true  life  is 
developed.  Press  him  down  harder  and  closer,  until 
he  is  in  positive  ruin,  and  scorned  by  this  world,  — 
then  he  points  triumphantly  to  the  next,  and  wel- 
comes what  may  come  there." 
The  following  was  written  on 

"WASHINGTON'S  BIRTHDAY. 

"  Reverend ,  lately  a  chaplain  in  the  army, 

addressed  us  in  the  chapel  this  22d  of  February.  It 
was  a  sensible,  practical,  and  inspiring  address,  en- 
tirely extempore,  or,  as  I  am  a  student  of  the  French 
language,  I  will  say  it  was  delivered  sans  fa$on  — 
sans  y  fenser.  He  commenced  with  the  words, — 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  19! 

"  '  Do  not,  my  friends,  think  I  have  come  here  this 
morning  because  I  have  nothing  else  to  do ;  for  I  have 
very  much  to  do.  Do  not  think  I  have  come  here 
merely  because  I  was  invited  ;  for  I  was  not.  Do  not 
think  I  have  come  here  out  of  curiosity ;  for  I  have 
none,  having  been  chaplain  of  the  penitentiary  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  I  know  all  about  it.  I  am 
here  to  do  you  good,  and  thus  do  good  to  myself.' 

"  Surely  the  speaker  must  be  a  sincere  and  devoted 
Christian,  governed  solely  by  the  teachings  of  the 
Great  Founder  of  Christianity  —  '  For  I  was  sick, 
and  ye  visited  me ;  in  prison,  and  ye  came  unto  me.' 
His  frank  and  easy  manner,  his  honest  countenance, 
were  at  once  a  passport  to  the  hearts  of  his  hearers. 
He  related  the  incident  of  Washington,  who,  while  in 
winter  quarters  at  Valley  Forge,  retiring  from  the  camp 
to  a  small  tree,  and,  pulling  off  his  army  cloak,  spread 
it  upon  the  snowy  ground  underneath  its  ice-laden 
branches,- and  bent  his  knees  in  prayer  to  God. 

"  The  manner  in  which  the  speaker  related  this  inci- 
dent sent  it  home  to  the  hearts  of  all  who  heard  it. 
If  Washington,  a  pure  and  spotless  man,  had  need  of 
prayer,  how  much  more  have  we,  who  are  under  the 
ban  of  good  society !  He  closed  with  an  appeal  for 
each  one  of  us  to  go  to  our  cells,  and  while  the  can- 
non are  booming,  banners  are  flying,  and  bells  are 
ringing  for  joy,  reflect  why  we  are  here,  deprived  of 
all  pleasure,  and  then  to  reflect  how  we  can  avoid  a 
greater  condemnation. 

"  In  obedience  to  his  advice,  I  have  been  all  day  delv- 
ing in  the  chambers  and  caverns  of  my  heart.  I  find 
ruins  of  castles  built  high  upon  the  foundation  of  future 


192  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

hopes  are  thickly  strewn.  At  one  side  is  the  crum- 
bling pedestal  which  my  boyish  fancy  had  built  upon 
a  towering  shaft  of  fame ;  and  what  boy  has  not 
built  these  airy  castles  and  monuments?  The  founda- 
tions of  a  cottage,  in  which  happiness  and  love  were 
to  reign  supreme,  are  also  in  like  decay.  How  well 
do  I  remember  those  boyish  longings !  how  I  lay 
awake  at  night  and  prayed  that  I  might  be  a  good,  if 
not  a  great  man  ;  that  I  might  have  some  way  opened 
io  me  for  the  development  of  the  highest  manhood ; 
that  I  might  work  out  some  noble  aim  ;  that  I  might 
in  some  degree  make  the  world  better  for  my  exist- 
ence !  And  now,  at  this  late  day  of  my  life,  I  am 
groping  among  the  ruins  of  these  once  ardent  hopes. 
Unwillingly  I  ask  myself  why  is  it  so?  What  caused 
all  these  blasted  hopes?  Looming  up  from  that 
pedestal,  upon  which  I  had  hoped  to  erect  a  token 
of  honor  and  renown,  is  now,  not  a  spectral,  but  a 
real  column,  upon  which  is  chiselled  —  Shame.  And 
that  cottage,  that  ivy-clad  cottage,  where  plenty, 
love,  and  happiness  were  to  be  the  ruling  spirits,  is  no 
more  pictured  to  me,  but  rising  before  my  eyes  are 
the  massive  walls  of  a  prison ;  and  here  I  am 

'  Condemned  to  herd  with  the  vilest  of  the  race, 
And  meet  each  day  the  murderer  face  to  face.' 

"Is  this  a  reality?  Where  are  those  little  ones  who 
once  ran  to  climb  about  my  neck?  Where  is  that 
old  mother,  whose  tottering  footsteps  down  to  the 
grave  I  had  hoped  to  cheer  and  lighten?  They  are 
buffeting  the  billows  of  the  world  alone,  and  think  me 
dead.  The  dark  cloud  of  my  existence  has  a  silver 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  193 

lining  in  the  thought  that  they  do  not  know  of  my 
disgrace ;  and  sooner  would  I  let  the  rack  of  torture 
rend  every  bone  in  my  body,  than  fill  their  days  with 
sorrow,  grief,  and  shame. 

"  But  why  am  I  here?  I  will  not  evade  nor  shrink 
from  the  answer.  I  had  broken  God's  commands.  I 
was  leading  an  aimless  life — and  an  aimless  life  is  a 
sinful  one.  Like  the  barren  fig-tree,  I  had  been 
all  foliage,  and  no  fruit,  resting  simply  upon  one  or 
two  traits  of  character  which  I  thought  redeeming 
ones,  and  with  them  I  hoped  to  get  the  countersign 
which  would  pass  me  through  the  gates  of  heaven. 
Vain  and  conceited  shadows,  from  this  day  begone ! 
The  chastening  hand  was  laid  upon  me.  May  it 
prove  His  hand  of  love  and  mercy. 

"How  shall  I  escape  a  greater  condemnation? 
How  shall  I  redeem  myself?  '  You  have  a  Re- 
deemer.' Ah,  yes,  but  he  is  not  a  Redeemer  for  those 
who  sit  down  calmly  and  idly,  resting  upon  the  words, 
4  He  that  believeth  shall  be  saved.'  Something  more 
is  required  of  me  than  that.  '  What  doth  it  profit 
though  a  man  say  he  hath  faith  and  have  not  works : 
can  faith  save  him?'  What  can  I  do  to  redeem  my- 
self in  his  eyes?  First,  I  can  restore  order  in  the  little 
temple  within  me.  '  Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the 
temple  of  God,  and  that  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth 
within  you  ? '  My  heart  a  temple  of  God  !  Alas,  how 
sadly  desecrated  !  I  can  remove  the  tapestried  glitter 
of  selfish  and  worldly  aspirations.  I  can  cast  down 
the  image  of  Mammon.  I  can  plant  the  cross,  erect 
an  altar  to  God,  and  before  it  kneel  in  reverence  to 
Him  who  has  given  me  life  and  being.  I  will  do  this. 

43 


194  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

I  will  utter  with  sincerity  the  publican's  prayer  — 
4  God,  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner,'  and  ask  with 
Saul  of  Tarsus,  '  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to 
do?'  O,  grant  that  I  may  yet  have  the  power  of 
doing,  for  every  wrong  and  selfish  deed  done  in  the 
past,  two  good  ones  in  the  future.  O,  grant  that  I 
may  have  the  privilege  of  redeeming  myself  in  thy 
sight,  and  in  the  sight  of  my  fellow-man." 

"A  STORY  OF  THE  WORLD. 

"They  dragged  me  away  from  my  cottage  door; 
I  was  tired  and  hungry,  cold  and  poor ; 
There  were  comfort,  content,  and  love  within ; 
But  they  dragged  me  away  in  my  tatters  thin, 
With  jeers  and  scoffs  at  my  crime  and  sin. 

"  They  forced  me  to  enter  a  narrow  cell, 
Where  the  rays  of  the  sun-light  never  fell, 
Where  no  sounds  were  heard,  save  the  steeple's  knell, 

To  tell  of  the  lost  ones  perishing. 
The  lime-washed  walls  were  bare  and  bleak, 
My  eyes  grew  damp,  my  limbs  grew  weak, 

A  spark  of  hope  vainly  cherishing. 

"  Then  my  heart  grew  cold ;  the  demons  came 
With  their  livid  lips  and  their  eyes  of  flame; 
They  told  me  to  die,  and  hide  my  shame, 

And  laughed  till  my  brain  whirled  dizzily. 
They  sauntered  past,  up  and  down,  to  and  fro, 
Taunting,  mocking,  and  gibbering  low,  — 
'  Seek  peace  and  rest;    strike  deep  the  blow, 

Down  deep  where  the  heart  throbs  busily.' 

"I  felt  their  breath  on  my  tortured  brain ; 
They  tore  my  heart,  and  I  shrieked  in  vain ; 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS. 

They  whispered,  '  Death  is  the  end  of  pain ; 

Fly  —  fly  to  the  grave's  security, 
The  world  will  turn  from  the  hideous  stain 

That  ever  will  blot  thy  purity.' 

"They  bade  me  remember  the  bright  old  time, 
My  cottage  home,  in  my  native  clime, 
My  children  under  the  dangling  thyme, 
And  the  friends  I  lost  by  the  charge  of  crime, 

Till,  smothering  my  soul's  humanity, 
I  grasped  at  the  blade,  in  my  deep  despair, 
And  bared  my  breast  in  the  sluggish  air ; 
But  the  warm  blood  curdled  and  thickened  there, 

To  witness  my  wild  insanity. 

"  My  hand !     God,  let  me  not  think  of  it, 
But  send  my  summons.     O,  death,  pale  death, 
Let  me  see  thy  face ;  let  me  feel  thy  breath ; 

Thy  lethean  cup,  let  me  drink  of  it. 

"  O,  give  me  a  bed  in  the  snow  so  deep, 
The  frost  with  a  shroud. to  cover  me; 
The  winds  will  lull  me  to  dreamless  sleep, 
And  the  stars  in  their  far-off  homes  will  keep 
Their  beautiful  night-watch  over  me. 

"  Silent  and  still, 

Near  Bunker  Hill 
A  prison  stands  high  and  frowningly; 

Its  walls,  though  old, 

Have  a  touch  of  gold 
As  the  morning  sun  comes  crowningly; 

'Tis  a  lonely  home, 

Under  that  gray  dome, 
That  looms  in  the  air  so  boldly ; 

The  world  outside, 

A  changing  tide, 
Ever  will  turn  from  it  coldly. 


196  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

'Tis  a  monitor,  too ; 

Though  its  words  are  few, 
Yet  it  speaks,  though  nations  alter; 

Its  voice  so  strong 

Warns  old  and  young 
From  the  right  to  never  falter. 

"  Within  those  gates 

Our  captive  waits, 
With  a  prayer  that  ceases  never, 

While  tears  are  shed 

For  the  bright  days  fled, 
And  the  old  friends  lost  forever : 

His  heart  beats  on, 

Though  hearts  are  gone 
That  warmer  beat  and  younger; 

His  hands  still  move, 

Though  hands  he  loves 
Are  clasped  on  earth  no  longer. 

'Tis  a  convict  crowd ; 

His  head  is  bowed 
In  a  deep,  despairing  reverie ; 

For  all  look  down 

With  a  scorning  frown 
At  his  degrading  livery. 

14  But  where  is  the  wretch,  with  a  heart  defiled, 

That  blighted  that  life  so  shamefully? 
He  left  the  victim  his  arts  beguiled ; 
He  is  not  loathed,  contemned,  nor  reviled ; 

No  lips  speak  of  him  disdainfully ; 
For  he  has  power  and  fair  broad  land ; 
He  has  a  sounding  name,  a  jewelled  hand; 
He  is  revelling  now  where  the  lamps  shine  bright, 
Where  the  hours  go  by  in  a  festive  flight, 

And  the  gleeful  song  rings  merrily ; 
There  are  feasting  and  laughter  to  rule  the  night, 

And  warm,  young  hearts  beat  cheerily. 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  197 

Where  the  censers  breathe  and  the  jewels  shine, 
He  offers  them  now  the  rich  red  wine ; 
But  he  never  by  token,  or  word,  or  sign 

Alludes  to  his  victim's  history. 
No ;  fill  the  cup  to  the  sparkling  brim  ; 
With  life,  and  pleasure,  and  fame  for  him, 
The  future  is  bright;  let  the  past  be  dim, 

And  wrapped  in  a  fearful  mystery. 

In  the  penal  code  of  this  righteous  world, 

Justice,  I  ween,  is  a  rarity. 
At  the  poor  unknown  the  lip  is  curled, 
The  bitter  taunt  and  sarcasm  hurled, 

With  sure,  unvarying  parity ; 
But  over  the  monster,  mean  and  vile, 
Whose  heart  is  a  canker,  festering  guile, 
Who  kills  with  the  light  of  his  gilded  smile, 

We  throw  the  pure  mantle  of  charity. 

There  is  many  a  heart  that  faints  and  fails, 
And  many  a  beautiful  cheek  that  pales, 
And  eyes  that  weep  at  fictitious  tales 

Of  sorrow,  and  wrong,  and  misery, 
That  will  turn  from  the  pallid  brow  that  veils 

A  deeper  and  wilder  agony." 


But  perhaps  the  most  remarkable  production  of  this 
talented  convict  is  yet  to  be  noticed.  In  my  posses- 
sion is  a  book,  composed,  printed  with  a  pen,  and 
bound  by  him,  while  in  prison.  It  is  entitled  "  The 
Life  of  Christ ;  "  and  whether  viewed  as  a  literary  or 
mechanical  work,  is  one  of  the  greatest  curiosities 
within  my  knowledge.  It  is  a  volume  of  more  than 
three  hundred  pages,  of  the  common  duodecimo  size, 
with  title  page,  contents,  chapter  headings,  margins, 
&c.,  executed  in  the  neatest  style,  and  with  an  accuracy 


ig  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

and  beauty  simply  wonderful.  It  has  a  beautiful  pen- 
and-ink  sketch  for  a  frontispiece,  representing  the 
Flight  of  the  Holy  Family,  drawn  by  a  fellow-con- 
vict. It  is  bound  in  elaborately-carved  black  walnut 
covers,  with  raised  letters  and  scroll  work,  and  with  a 
velvet  back.  Of  course  the  materials  were  furnished 
him  by  the  officers  of  the  prison.  This  book  has  been 
examined  by  eminent  clergymen  and  scholars,  who, 
without  exception,  have  expressed  their  wonder  and 
admiration,  and  any  one  curious  in  the  matter  can 
see  it  on  personal  application. 

It  is  proper  to  say,  in  this  connection,  that  in  the 
autumn  of  1867  a  valued  friend  of  mine,  Rev.  J.  E. 
Rankin,  of  Charlestown,  published  a  brief  account  of 
this  volume  in  the  Congregational st  and  Boston  Re- 
corder, and  made  extracts,  a  few  of  which  elicited 
some  criticism,  tending  to  show  that  the  convict  was 
indebted  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  SchafTfor  some  striking  par- 
agraphs. The  reader  is  directed,  for  a  candid  discus- 
sion of  the  subject,  to  the  paper  above  mentioned,  of 
the  dates  October  17,  24,  and  31,  1867.  It  is  suffi- 
cient to  say  here,  that  the  convict's  book  was  written 
in  1863,  and  Dr.  SchafFs  book  was  published  in  1865  ; 
and  certainly,  as  far  as  is  known  to  any  of  the  officers 
of  the  prison,  the  convict  never  saw  any  of  Dr.  SchatFs 
writings.  It  appears,  however,  that  in  an  address, 
first  published  in  the  Mercersberg  Review,  early  in 
1861,  the  reverend  doctor  uttered  himself,  in  some 
sentences,  almost  identical  with  the  suspicious  sen- 
tences in  u  The  Life  of  Christ,"  and  it  is  probable  that 
some  newspaper  extract  came  under  the  eye  of  the 
convict  at  some  time  unknown  to  us.  Mr.  Rankin  well 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  199 

remarks,  "  That  his  obligations  were  to  an  abridged 
form  of  this  treatise,  the  fact  of  his  omitting  some  of 
the  finer  passages  may  possibly  show.  But,  if  he  had 
this  address  at  all  in  the  prison,  he  must  have  taken  it 
in  his  memory,  or  have  found  portions  of  it  in  books 
to  which  he  did  have  access. 

"  Now,  let  us  look  at  what  he  proposed  to  himself 
in  writing  the  book,  and  the  obligations  to  others 
which  he  acknowledges.  In  his  Introduction  he  writes 
thus :  — 

" 4  My  aim  has  been  humble.  ...  I  have  endeavored 
to  give  a  short,  connected  sketch  of  the  life  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour ;  such  a  one  as  a  close  study  of  the 
four  sacred  Evangelists  has  developed  to  my  mind, 
assisted  by  such  teachers  and  guides  as  Fleetwood, 
Neander,  Stanley,  Josephus,  and  others.  Yet,  while 
following  in  the  paths  surveyed  by  these  eminent 
writers  and  divines,  it  is  hoped  that  there  will  be 
found  sufficient  in  what  follows  to  render  it  free  from 
the  uninviting  character  of  a  mere  compilation.  I 
must  say,  apologetically,  that  the  following  pages 
were  originally  written  for  the  purpose  of  impressing 
indelibly  upon  my  own  mind  the  truths  and  teachings 
of  inspiration  ;  and  I  have  hesitatingly  put  them  into 
the  present  form  because  of  their  utter  unworthiness.' 

u  With  this  general  acknowledgment  he  makes  no 
quotations.  Even  where  he  quotes  language  quoted 
by  the  author,  he  uses  no  quotation  marks.  Not  ex- 
pecting the  book  to  be  published,  or,  at  least,  without 
the  express  acknowledgments  of  the  Introduction, 
perhaps  he  has  not  transgressed  beyond  forgiveness, 
especially  by  the  clerical  class,  for  whom  it  is  not 


2OO  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

always  elegant,  convenient,  or  agreeable  to  make  full 
acknowledgments,  and  of  whom  some  slips  in  this 
direction  are  said  to  be  on  record." 

Specimens  of  this  convict's  writings  already  given, 
and  a  great  number  that  might  be  added  if  space 
allowed,  and  which  could  by  no  possibility  have  been 
composed  by  any  one  else,  sufficiently  prove  his  gen- 
ius, and  that  he  had  no  occasion  to  copy  from  others. 
If,  in  the  solitary  workings  of  his  mind,  as  he  sat  in 
his  -cell,  laboring  at  this  book,  his  memory  called  up 
views  of  another  which  coincided  with  his  own,  or  if 
he  found  such  views  in  a  religious  paper  which  some 
prisoner's  friend  had  given  him,  is  it  to  be  wondered 
at  that  he  made  use  of  them?  Who  of  us  would 
not  have  done  the  same,  especially  as  he  was  not 
writing  for  the  eye  of  the  world,  and  as  he  knew  his 
single  pen-printed  volume  might  never  go  outside  the 
prison- walls? 

After  the  Introduction  (in  which  are  the  sentences 
that  gave  rise  to  the  discussion)  the  direct  narrative 
begins  in  these  words :  — 

"  In  the  north-western  part  of  Palestine,  about 
seventy  miles  from  Jerusalem,  fifteen  gently-rounded 
hills  seem  as  if  they  had  met  to  form  a  small  and  quiet 
valley.  They  rise  around  it  like  the  undulated  edge 
of  a  shell,  to  guard  it  from  intrusion.  Upon  the  slope 
of  one  of  these  hills,  in  the  midst  of  this  rich  and 
beautiful  valley,  abounding  in  gay  flowers,  and  fig 
trees,  and  olive  trees,  was  situated  the  little  city  of 
Nazareth,  the  home  of  Mary,  the  mother  of  Jesus. 
Its  separation  from  the  busy  world,  its  delightful  se- 
clusion, constituted  its  chief  peculiarity.  When  the 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  2OI 

angel  Gabriel  was  sent  from  heaven,  eighteen  hundred 
years  ago,  to  announce  that  divine  message  of  mercy, 
and  the  rekindling  of  the  pure  light  of  goodness  be- 
fore that  sinful  and  miserable  generation,  we  ask 
ourselves  whether  the  holy  watchers  on  the  crystal 
walls  of  Paradise  wondered  as  they  marked  the  swift 
messenger  of  peace,  and  saw  him  pass  by  the  abodes 
of  the  rich,  the  learned,  the  great,  the  mighty  men  of 
renown,  to  enter  the  humble  abode  of  a  young  and 
lowly-born  maiden  in  this  city  of  Nazareth. 

u  '  Hail,  highly-favored  one  ;  the  Lord  is  with  thee  ; 
blessed  art  thou  among  women.'  Such  was  the  salu- 
tation of  the  angel  Gabriel  to  the  Virgin  Mary. 

"  Among  the  few  devout  ones  of  Israel  who  had 
not  lost  all  faith  in  the  promises  of  God,  and  who 
entertained  a  strong  belief  that  the  time  was  drawing 
nearer  and  nearer  when  some  unmistakable  sign  from 
God  would  be  given  that  the  promised  Emanuel  had 
been  sent,  —  as  predicted  by  the  prophets  of  old,  —  were 
a  band  of  shepherds.  In  their  vigils  over  their  flocks 
grazing  upon  the  hills  near  Bethlehem,  they  were 
surprised  at  night  by  the  glory  of  the  Lord  coming 
suddenly  upon  them,  turning  the  darkness  into  celes- 
tial light,  and  an  angelic  choir  announced,  with  a 
song  of  praise  and  glory  to  God,  that  a  Saviour  and 
Redeemer  to  Israel  was  born  in  Bethlehem.  The 
shepherds  at  once  set  out,  on  the  same  night  of  their 
vision,  a  night  so  heavily  laden  with  interest  to  man's 
salvation,  to  pay  their  adoration  to  the  new-born 
Messiah. 

"  In    another    direction,  to  the  east   of    Palestine, 


2O2  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

certain  wise  men,  in  observing  the  heavens,  beheld  a 
star,  of  unusual  appearance  and  majesty,  travelling  to 
the  westward.  Unable  to  account  for  its  seeming 
close  proximity  to  the  earth,  they  became  convinced 
in  their  own  minds,  that,  like  '  the  pillar  of  cloud  by 
day,  and  pillar  of  fire  by  night,  to  the  Israelites  of 
old,  this  star  was  a  manifestation  or  token  from  God, 
that  the  great  King  and  Deliverer  of  Israel  had  been 
born.  As  wise  men  and  philosophers,  they  doubtless 
considered  this  the  greatest  miracle  of  human  history, 
and  one  that  was  to  raise  them  once  more  to  com- 
munion with  God.  Therefore  they  welcomed  with 
enthusiasm  and  joy  this  blazing  star,  as  it  cast  its  ray^s 
of  light  upon  a  world  at  so  dark  a  time,  and  they  pre- 
pared to  follow  it  as  their  leader,  to  do  homage  to 
their  Deliverer." 

A  short  extract  from  the  chapter  on  the  Resurrec- 
tion is  all  for  which  space  remains. 

"  The  dawning  of  the  third  day  after  the  crucifixion 
was  looked  for  with  fervent  and  hopeful  solicitude  by 
the  apostles.  The  time  dragged  slowly  and  heavily  as 
they  watched  for  the  realization  of  the  last  prophecy 
of  Christ :  '  After  three  days  I  shall  rise  again/ 
Twice  had  the  sun  gone  down  on  the  earth,  and  all, 
as  yet,  was  quiet  at  the  sepulchre.  Death  held  his 
sceptre  over  the  Son  of  God.  Still  and  silent  the 
hours  passed  on  ;  the  Roman  guards  still  stood  by 
their  posts,  while  the  rays  of  the  midnight  moon 
gleamed  on  their  helmets  and  on  their  spears.  The 
enemies  of  Christ  exulted  in  their  success ;  the  hearts 
of  his  followers  were  sunk  in  despondency  and  sor- 
row, all  unconscious  of  the  angels  of  heaven  hovering 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  203 

near  to  behold  the  approaching  event.  At  length  the 
morning  star,  rising  in  the  east,  announced  the  ap- 
proach of  light.  The  third  day  began  to  dawn  on  the 
world,  when,  on  a  sudden,  the  earth  trembled  to  its 
centre,  the  powers  of  heaven  were  shaken,  and  an 
angel  of  God  descended  to  the  holy  sepulchre.  The 
guards  shrank  back  in  terror  at  his  presence,  and  fell 
prostrate  on  the  ground.  '  His  countenance  was  like 
lightning,  his  raiment  was  white  as  snow.'  He  rolled 
away  the  stone  from  the  door,  and  sat  upon  it.  But 
who  is  this  that  comes  from  the  tomb,  from  the  bed 
of  death  —  he  that  is  so  glorious  in  his  appearance, 
walking  in  the  greatness  of  his  strength? 

"It  is  thy  Prince,  O  Zion !  Christian,  it  is  your 
Lord,  who  rises  from  the  grave  a  conqueror,  to  meet 
the  morning's  resurrection.  He  returns  from  the 
world  of  spirits,  bringing  salvation  to  the  sons  of  men. 
Never  did  the  returning  sun  usher  in  a  day  so  glorious. 
Let  it  be  proclaimed  the  jubilee  of  the  universe  !  Let 
the  earth,  and  all  that  is  within  it,  all  nations  and  all 
people,  shout  for  joy  !  Ye  clouds,  with  jarring  thun- 
ders, ye  deeps,  with  roaring  billows,  lend  your  voices  ! 
Wake,  ye  soaring  throngs  and  feathered  warblers, 
whose  glittering  wings  are  tipped  with  gold  ;  tune  your 
voices  to  unite  with  the  angelic  hosts  in  a  sublime 
Hosanna  to  the  Highest !  Swell  the  inspiring  theme, 
until  heaven's  high  arch  shall  echo  back  the  sound,  — 
Hosanna  in  the  Highest." 

Although  it  is  difficult  to  judge  of  the  general  char- 
acter of  a  book  by  scattered  extracts,  it  is  believed  that 
these  few  pages  will  more  than  substantiate  what  has 
been  said  in  regard  to  this  really  remarkable  "  Life  of 


204  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

Christ ; "  and  when  all  the  circumstances  attending  its 
composition  are  taken  into  consideration,  our  wonder 
only  increases  at  the  results  attained  by  this  talented 
convict. 

The  following  very  singular  incident  I  can  vouch 
for  as  having  actually  occurred.  I  refer  to  it,  not  to  il- 
lustrate a  supernatural  or  any  other  unusual  agency,  — 
as  I  am  a  sceptic  in  such  matters,  —  but  as  a  remarka- 
ble instance  of  hallucination  or  presentiment. 

I  received  a  message  from  the  wife  of  one  of  our 
convicts,  in  prison  for  life,  that  their  only  child,  a 
bright  little  boy  five  years  old,  was  dead,  he  having 
accidentally  fallen  into  the  water,  and  been  drowned. 
I  was  requested  to  communicate  to  the  father  the  death 
of  the  child,  but  not  the  cause,  as  his  wife  preferred 
to  tell  him  herself,  when  she  should  visit  him  a  week 
or  two  later. 

I  sent  for  him  at  the  guard-room,  and,  after  a  few 
questions  in  regard  to  himself,  I  said  I  had  some  sad 
news  for  him.  He  quickly  replied,  "I  know  what  it 
is,  Mr.  Warden  ;  my  boy  is  dead  !  "  "  How  did  you 
hear  of  it?"  I  asked.  u  O,  I  knew  it  was  so  ;  he  was 
drowned  —  was  he  not,  Mr.  Warden  ?  "  "  But  who  in- 
formed you  of  it?"  I  again  asked.  "  No  one,"  he 
replied.  "  How,  then,  did  you  know  he  was  dead, 
and  what  makes  you  think  he  was  drowned?"  "  Last 
Sunday,"  he  said,  "your  little  boy  was  in  the  chapel ; 
he  fell  asleep,  and  you  took  him  up  and  held  him.  As 
I  looked  up,  and  caught  sight  of  him  lying  in  your 
arms,  instantly  the  thought  occurred  to  me  that  my 
boy  was  dead  —  drowned.  In  vain  I  tried  to  banish 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  2O$ 

it  from  my  mind,  to  think  of  something  else,  but  could 
not ;  the  tears  came  into  my  eyes,  and  it  has  been 
ringing  in  my  ears  ever  since  ;  and  when  you  sent  for 
me,  my  heart  sank  within  me,  for  I  felt  sure  my  fears 
were  to  be  confirmed." 

What  made  it  more  remarkable  was  the  fact  that 
the  child  was  missed  during  the  forenoon  of  thai 
Sunday,  but  the  body  was  not  found  for  some  days 
after. 

One  of  the  most  ingenious  plans  and  bold  attempts 
to  release  convicts  from  the  prison  occurred  on  the 
night  of  the  loth  of  September  of  this  year  (1868). 
The  plan  had  been  maturing  for  several  months ;  its 
existence  was  known  to  the  authorities,  but  the  pre- 
cise method  to  be  adopted  by  them,  or  the  time  for 
carrying  it  into  execution,  was  unknown,  and,  but 
for  the  suspicious  conduct  of  the  parties  the  day  pre- 
vious, might  have  been  successful,  and  the  release  of 
three  of  the  most  desperate  characters  in  the  prison 
would  have  been  the  result  These  parties  were  serv- 
ing the  following  sentences :  one  of  twenty  years,  for 
burglary,  one  of  sixteen  years,  for  robbery  (his  second 
term  here),  and  one  of  five  years,  for  breaking  and 
entering,  with  several  other  charges  of  a  like  character 
against  him  in  another  county,  upon  which  he  is  yet 
to  be  tried. 

Our  only  mode  of  punishment,  it  will  be  remem- 
bered, is  solitary  confinement  in  a  dark  cell,  with  a 
board  and  blanket  for  a  bed.  The  cells  used  for  this 
purpose  are  the  centre  ones  on  the  lower  tier  of  the 
north  wing,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  is  stationed  an 


2O6  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

officer,  night  and  day.  It  sometimes  occurs  that  con- 
victs confined  in  these  cells  are  noisy,  disturbing  the 
prison  by  whistling,  shouting,  and  beating  against  the 
door.  The  slightest  noise  is  heard  by  every  inmate, 
and  when  once  started,  it  will  frequently  be  taken  up 
by  others  in  different  localities,  and  for  a  few  moments 
we  have  a  demonstration  not  easily  described. 

To  be  prepared  for  and  to  guard  against  occur- 
rences of  this  kind,  the  authorities,  in  remodelling  the 
basement  of  the  west  wing,  last  year,  for  a  store-room, 
reserved  four  of  the  original  cells  located  there,  and 
fitted  them  up  for  the  confinement  of  those  who  should 
disturb  the  prison.  This  was  done  by  separating  them 
from  the  principal  apartment  with  a  twelve-inch  brick 
wall,,  in  which  was  a  strong  iron  door,  which  must  be 
passed  through  to  reach  them. 

The  walls  of  these  detached  cells  are  of  granite, 
four  feet  thick,  with  no  opening  but  for  the  door, 
which  is  made  of  iron,  wc^hing  nearly  five  hundred 
pounds,  secured  by  heavy  bolts,  and  fastened  with 
massive  padlocks,  the  object  being  to  guard  against 
the  convicts  getting  out,  and  not  against  parties  getting 
in.  These  cells  are  so  isolated  from  the  main  build- 
ing that  no  sound  can  pass  from  one  to  the  other.  The 
entrance  to  them  is  through  the  store-room,  the  door 
of  which  is  in  the  west  end  of  the  building ;  on  the 
sides  of  this  room  are  small  windows,  which,  in  the 
warm  season  of  the  year,  are  left  open  for  ventilation. 

Convicts  removed  to  these  apartments  for  disturbing 
the  prison  are  deprived  of  the  board  and  blanket 
allowed  them  in  the  other  punishment  cells,  and  also 
the  privilege  of  seeing  their  friends,  writing  and 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  207 

receiving  letters,  for  such  time  as  the  authorities  shall 
think  proper.  This  is  well  understood  by  them,  and 
consequently  we  are  not  often  required  to  use  them, 
especially  for  those  having  a  long  sentence,  or  expec- 
tations of  some  time  obtaining  a  pardon. 

The  three  convicts  referred  to,  for  some  intended 
violation  of  the  rules,  were  sent  from  the  workshop  to 
the  prison.  During  the  afternoon  they  became  noisy, 
and  were  removed  to  the  cells  in  the  store-room.  This 
was  a  part  of  their  plan. 

The  singular  conduct  of  these  men,  ordinarily  well 
behaved,  in  not  only  getting  into  trouble  in  the  first 
place,  but  in  giving  cause  for  their  removal  to  the 
arch,  knowing  the  consequences,  roused  the  suspicion 
of  the  authorities ;  and,  with  the  information  already 
in  their  possession,  induced  them  to  take  those  meas- 
ures which  not  only  frustrated  their  plans,  but  secured 
their  principal  agent  from  outside. 

Soon  after  dark  of  this  evening  (September  10),  the 
deputy  warden,  Mr.  Oliver  Whitcomb,  took  a  position 
in  the  door-way  of  the  foundery,  commanding  a  view 
of  the  door  and  windows  of  the  store-room.  About 
eleven  o'clock  he  heard  something  drop  from  the  wall 
in  the  rear  of  the  building,  and  almost  immediately  a 
man  came  round  the  end  of  the  foundery,  and,  quickly 
crossing  the  space  between  it  and  the  prison,  a  dis- 
tance of  about  forty  feet,  sprang  through  the  open 
window  into  the  room.  The  information  was  instantly 
communicated  to  the  warden  in  the  guard-room,  who, 
with  the  two  officers  on  duty  in  the  prison,  repaired  at 
once  to  the  spot,  and  stationed  themselves  on  either 


208  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

side  of  the  building,  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the 
intruder,  whilst  the  deputy  warden  was  procuring 
lights,  and  calling  up  the  officers  who  sleep  upon  the 
premises. 

The  arrangements  to  prevent  the  possibility  of 
escape  having  been  completed,  the  door  of  the  store- 
room was  thrown  open,  and  immediately  upon  enter- 
ing a  pistol  was  discharged  from  within,  and  one  of 
the  officers  slightly  wounded  in  the  hand ;  almost  in 
the  same  breath,  a  man  stepped  forward,  and  sur- 
rendered himself.  He  proved  to  be  a  discharged 
convict,  who  left  the  prison  only  ten  days  before. 

He  was  fully  prepared  to  execute  his  plans,  having 
with  him  two  cast-steel  crowbars,  four  and  a  half  feet 
long,  one  of  -them  split  and  rounded  at  the  end,  like  a 
claw  hammer,  for  drawing  spikes  or  bolts,  an  iron 
saw  frame,  with  three  extra  saw  blades  for  cutting  off 
bars,  a  keyhole  saw,  a  heavy  hammer  and  cold  chisel 
(both  of  which  were  muffled,  to  prevent  noise),  files,  a 
dark  lantern,  &c.,  and  armed  with  a  revolver.  He 
was  dressed  in  dark  clothes  throughout,  with  rubbers 
upon  his  feet.  With  the  facilities  he  had,  it  would 
not  have  required  more  than  twenty  minutes  to  have 
accomplished  his  object. 

He  gained  access  to  the  yard  from  a  shed  in  the  rear 
of  the  wall,  which  he  ascended  by  a  short  ladder,  and 
letting  himself  down  inside  by  a  rope,  which  was 
afterwards  drawn  up  by  his  accomplices,  and  coiled 
upon  the  top  of  the  wall,  one  end  being  made  fast  to 
the  railing,  and  a  string  attached  to  the  other,  to  pull 
it  down  when  required.  This  was  to  guard  against 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS,  209 

its  being  discovered  by  the  watchman  in  going  his 
rounds. 

The  culprit  was  secured  for  the  night.  The  next 
day,  the  grand  jury  being  in  session,  a  complaint 
was  made  against  him,  a  true  bill  found,  and  the  week 
following  he  was  tried,  convicted,  and  sentenced  to 
the  State  Prison  for  five  years.  Just  seventeen  days 
from  the  time  he  was  discharged,  he  was  back  in  his 
old  quarters  again. 

This  incident  illustrates,  to  a  certain  extent,  the 
constant  care  and  vigilance  required  in  an  institution 
of  this  kind,  with  upwards  of  five  hundred  and  fifty 
inmates,  among  whom  are  some  of  the  most  ingenious 
and  skilful  workmen  to  be  found  in  the  land,  men 
who  have  made  the  breaking  of  bolts,  bars,  and  locks, 
and  the  deception  of  their  fellow-man  .a  profession ; 
with  every  description  of  tools  within  reach,  with  so 
many  active  minds,  whose  whole  power  and  thought 
are  concentrated  upon  this  one  point  —  to  escape  — 
able,  in  many  cases,  to  command  money  to  an  un- 
limited extent,  and  friends  from  outside,  is  it  strange 
that  they  should  sometimes  succeed?  The  least  word 
dropped,  the  slightest  movement  made,  or  sign  given, 
incidents  so  frivolous  as  to  pass  unnoticed  outside, 
must  be  considered,  weighed,  and  investigated  :  it  must 
not  be  presumed  because  everything  is  right  in  the  morn- 
ing, that  it  will  be  so  at  noon  ;  that  every  man  locked 
up  at  night  will  be  found  in  his  cell  in  the  morning. 

A  gentleman  in  one  of  the  towns  in  the  interior  of 
the  state  was  returning  home  from  his 


2IO  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

having  locked  it  up  for  the  night,  when  he  was 
accosted  by  two  young  men,  who  inquired  the  way  to 
the  next  town.  Stopping  to  give  them  the  direction, 
he  was  knocked  down  by  a  blow  given  by  one  of  them 
with  a  bludgeon  he  had  concealed  on  his  person. 
They  beat  him  till  he  was  insensible,  and  having  rifled 
his  pockets  of  his  keys,  went  to  his  store  and  robbed 
the  safe,  obtaining  about  a  thousand  dollars  in  money 
and  some  other  property. 

These  young  men  were  arrested  for  another  offence, 
and  while  awaiting  trial,  circumstances  came  to  light 
which  fastened  this  crime  upon  them.  They  were 
convicted,  and  sentenced  to  the  State  Prison  for  life. 

Soon  after  their  commitment  to  the  prison,  one  of 
them  expressed  a  wish  to  have  a  private  interview 
with  me,  which  was  granted.  Up  to  this  time  they 
had  denied  their  guilt.  He  now  confessed  that  they 
committed  the  robbery,  and  he  was  anxious  to  make 
all  the  restitution  in  his  power.  The  money  and  the 
rest  of  the  property  taken  from  the  gentleman  at  that 
time  was  buried  in  a  spot  known  only  to  themselves, 
and  if  permitted,  he  would  conduct  me  to  the  place, 
and  this  property  could  be  recovered. 

Having  a  vivid  recollection  of  the  exploring  ex- 
pedition of  one  of  my  predecessors  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances, I  declined,  and  quietly  informed  him  that 
neither  I  nor  any  one  else  had  the  authority  to  take  him 
out  of  the  prison  on  such  an  errand,  and  if  the  recovery 
of  the  property  depended  upon  that,  it  was  useless  to 
talk  about  it.  He  still  persisted  in  his  story,  and  en- 
deavored to  give  me  such  instructions  as  would  enable 
me  to  find  it ;  but  being  unacquainted  with  the  local- 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  211 

ity,  I  suggested  that  he  should  draw  a  rough  plan, 
which,  perhaps,  might  guide  me,  being  willing  to  run 
the  risk  of  being  fooled,  but  not  to  the  extent  which  I 
thought  he  had  anticipated.  The  plan  was  drawn, 
but  it  gave  me  no  light  upon  the  matter.  I  then  in- 
timated that  he  should  send  for  the  gentleman  robbed, 
and  perhaps  he  might  be  able,  after  hearing  his  story, 
to  find  the  place.  This  was  done ;  the  party  came  to 
the  prison,  and  had  an  interview  with  him,  and  he 
gave  him  such  information  and  instruction  as  he  coulc 
impart  with  the  aid  of  his  rough  sketch  ;  but,  after 
digging  over  a  large  space  of  ground,  as  directed,  he* 
gave  up  the  effort  The  gentleman,  feeling  that  there 
might  be  something  in  the  story,  appealed  to  Governor 
Bullock  for  permission  to  have  the  young  man  taken 
to  the  place  ;  but  the  governor  was  as  powerless  as 
myself.  The  matter  was  about  being  dropped,  when 
I  proposed  to  the  owner  of  the  property  that  he  should 
have  a  photograph  of  the  locality  taken,  and  bring  the 
picture  to  the  prison,  and  perhaps  he  might  be  able  to 
point  out  the  spot.  This  was  done,  and  the  view,  thus 
obtained,  shown  to  the  young  man.  After  looking  at  it 
for  some  time,  he  took  a  pin  and  struck  into  the  paper, 
with  the  remark,  a  There,  sir,  there  is  where  I  buried 
the  box."  He  took  the  picture  thus  marked,  and 
started  upon  another  search,  A  few  days  after,  I 
received  a  letter  from  him,  stating  that  he  went  to  the 
spot  thus  designated,  and  almost  immediately  turned 
up  the  box.  The  contents  were  all  right ;  precisely 
as  he  left  them  on  the  night  of  the  assault. 

One  evening,  in  December,  1864,  a  gentleman,  by 


212  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  name  of  T.,  was  driving  from  Watertown  to  Wal- 
tham  in  a  sleigh  ;  suddenly  two  men  appeared  in  the 
road,  and  intimated,  by  signs,  that  they  wished  to 
speak  with  him.  He  stopped  his  horse,  and  one  of 
them,  approaching  him,  presented  a  revolver  and  de- 
manded his  money.  He  hesitated  a  moment  in  con- 
sequence of  seeing  a  team  approaching ;  but  the  close 
proximity  of  the  revolver  to  his  head,  and  the  intima- 
tion firmly  expressed  that  the  slightest  word  or  move- 
ment would  cost  him  his  life,  prevented  his  giving  an 
alarm,  although  the  driver  of  the  team  stopped  his 
horses  and  inquired  if  anything  was  the  matter ;  but 
being  requested  by  one  of  them  to  attend  to  his  own 
affairs,  quietly  drove  on. 

After  giving  up  his  money,  —  something  over  three 
hundred  dollars,  —  he  was  politely  requested  to  vacate 
liis  sleigh,  into  which  the  robbers  immediately  sprang, 
and,  turning  the  horse's  head  towards  Watertown,  and 
wishing  him  a  good  night,  they  drove  rapidly  in  that 
direction.  The  gentleman  followed  on  foot,  and  on 
reaching  the  village,  gave  the  alarm,  and  as  soon  as 
assistance  could  be  obtained,  started  in  pursuit.  His 
team  was  found  in  Cambridge,  but  the  birds  had 
.flown. 

The  next  evening  an  expressman  was  stopped  on 
the  Salem  turnpike  by  the  same  parties,  and  robbed 
of  about  the  same  amount. 

A  few  days  later  a  young  man  by  the  name  of  M., 
only  nineteen  years  old,  was  arrested  in  Boston, 
charged  with  these  robberies.  The  parties  interested 
were  sent  for,  and  fully  identified  him  as  the  robber, 
and  he  was  taken  to  Salem,  where  he  was  tried,  con- 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  213 

victed  (the  expressman  swearing  positively  to  him,) 
and  sentenced  to  the  State  Prison  for  life. 

Just  one  year  from  the  time  he  was  committed  to  the 
prison,  another  party,  by  the  name  of  J.,  was  received 
on  a  sentence  of  six  years,  for  burglary,  it  being  his 
third  term  here.  Shortly  after  J.'s  commitment,  he 
expressed  a  desire  to  see  me,  said  he  had  something 
of  importance  to  communicate,  if  I  would  send  for 
him.  At  the  interview  he  told  me  that  we  had  an 
innocent  man  confined  in  the  prison,  giving  me  the 
name  of  M.  Knowing  the  character  of  J.,  the  infor- 
mation was  received  with  doubts  pretty  strongly  ex- 
pressed. On  my  inquiring  what  proof  he  had  of  this 
man's  innocence,  he  hesitated  a  moment,  and  then, 
without  even  exacting  a  promise  from  me  that  he 
should  be  protected,  replied,  "  The  strongest  proof  in 
the  world,  for  I  myself  committed  the  two  robberies 
with  which  M.  has  been  charged,  and  upon  which  he 
has  been  convicted."  Still  incredulous,  and  not  doubt- 
ing he  had  some  deep  design  in  making  this  confession, 
I  inquired  what  he  expected  to  gain  by  the  informa- 
tion, even  if  it  should  prove  true?  "  Nothing,"  was 
his  answer ;  "  but  the  truth  is,  Mr.  Warden,  I  have 
been  a  bad  man  all  my  life,  and  don't  profess  to  be 
anything  else  now  ;  yet,  bad  as  I  have  been  and  am,  I 
have  no  desire  that  any  one  else  should  suffer  for  my 
crimes."  He  then,  at  my  request,  proceeded,  and  re- 
hearsed, most  minutely,  all  the  circumstances  of  the 
two  robberies.  His  revelations  made  a  deep  impres- 
sion upon  me.  I  knew  that  the  two  men  had  not  met, 
nor  had  they  had  any  way  of  communicating  with  each 
other  in  the  prison  up  to  that  time ;  in  fact,  —  as  was 


214  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

afterwards  ascertained, — they  did  not  know  each  other 
even  by  sight  M.  was  arrested  within  a  day  or  two 
of  the  last  robbery,  and  from  that  time,  nearly  a  year 
and  a  half,  no  communication  could  have  passed  be- 
tween them. 

At  my  request  he  wrote  out  the  particulars  in  full, 
and  gave  them  to  me.  I  immediately,  without  letting 
him  know  my  intention,  drove  out  to  Brighton,  ex- 
pecting to  find  Mr.  T.  at  his  office  ;  but  he  had  left  for 
his  home  in  Newton,  to  wrhich  place  I  proceeded,  and 
having  found  him,  gave  him  the  document.  After 
reading  it  a  second  time  in  silence,  he  exclaimed, 
u  The  one  who  wrote  this  paper  must  have  been 
present,  for  facts  and  circumstances  are  mentioned 
quite  forgotten  by  me,  which  could  not  have  been 
known  to  any  one  else.  At  my  suggestion,  he  re- 
turned with  me  to  the  prison.  I  sent  for  J.  (not  an 
uncommon  occurrence),  and  while  talking  with  him  at 
the  gate  of  the  octagon  about  some  work  I  wanted 
clone,  Mr.  T.  was  seated,  with  other  gentlemen,  some 
thirty  feet  from  him  —  the  usual  place  for  visitors 
to  the  prison  ;  without  noticing  the  fact,  I  observed 
that  J.  kept  his  eyes  upon  the  party  of  gentlemen : 
finally  lie  said,  u  Mr.  Warden,  I  think  I  know  one 
of  those  men."  I  inquired  which  one.  He  pointed 
out  Mr.  T.,  and  said,  "  I  think  that  is  the  man  I 
robbed  at  Watertown."  I  then  brought  him  into 
the  room,  and  they  had  an  interview,  the  result  of 
which  was,  that  Mr.  T.  returned  perfectly  convinced 
that  J,  was  the  man  who  robbed  him. 

My  next  move  was  to  get  the  expressman,  for  rob- 
bing whom  M.  was  convicted,  to  visit  the  prison,  J. 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  2 15 

having  assured  me  that  he  could  satisfy  him  that  he 
had  made  a  mistake  in  swearing  to  M.  In  this  I 
failed  ;  so  confident  was  he  that  he  was  right,  and  that 
we  were  being  duped,  that  nothing  I  could  do  or  say 
would  induce  him  to  give  it  a  moment's  consideration. 
Finding  I  could  accomplish  nothing  in  that  direction, 
I  drew  up  a  statement,  covering  the  facts  in  the  case, 
and  presented  it  to  Governor  Bullock.  Here,  again, 
I  failed  ;  the  governor  had  such  doubts  in  regard  to 
the  matter,  that  he  declined  even  to  refer  it  to  the 
committee  on  pardons,  and  it  was  not  till  Governor 
Claflin  was  elected  that  an  official  investigation  was 
obtained.  The  investigation  of  the  council  was,  as 
the  case  demanded,  most  thorough,  the  state  police 
being  called  in  to  assist  them.  The  result  was  the 
verification  of  the  statement  of  J.  in  every  particular, 
showing,  beyond  question,  the  innocence  of  M.,  who 
was  immediately  pardoned,  having  served  four  years 
and  one  month  for  a  crime  he  knew  nothing  about. 

J.  was  one  of  the  most  daring  and  desperate  rogues 
in  the  country ;  indictments,  found  against  him  for 
breaking  and  entering,  and  burglary,  are  now  on 
file  in  several  of  the  counties  in  the  state.  Yet  in 
prison  he  was  a  quiet,  and  apparently  an  inoffensive 
man,  an  excellent  mechanic,  one  who  could  turn  his 
hand  to  almost  anything.  He  has  recently  left  us, 
under  the  following  circumstances  :  He  was  engaged 
in  putting  in  the  pipe  for  heating  the  new  workshops 
recently  added  to  the  prison,  and,  to  make  the  connec- 
tion with  the  boiler,  he  was  allowed  to  remain  in  the 
shop  in  the  evening,  in  charge  of  a  person  supposed  to* 
be  competent  to  take  care  of  him.  They  had  nearly 


2l6  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

finished  the  work,  when  it  was  found  necessary  to  go 
to  the  blacksmiths'  shop  (all  within  the  walls)  for  some 
bolts  ;  they  started  together ;  suddenly  the  attendant 
missed  J.,  and  immediately  returned,  and  made  a  hasty 
search,  but  not  finding  him,  gave  the  alarm  at  the 
guard-room.  One  of  the  officers  on  duty  repaired  at 
once  to  the  scene,  and  found,  hooked  upon  the  railing 
of  the  wall,  a  piece  of  gas-pipe,  and  supposing  he  had 
escaped  in  that  way,  returned  and  notified  me.  Net 
stopping  to  examine  the  apparatus  he  was  supposed 
to  have  used,  I  started  in  pursuit,  taking  the  direction 
I  thought  it  most  likely  he  would  go.  My  pursuit 
was  unsuccessful,  and  after  giving  information  to  the 
police,  I  returned  quite  late  in  the  evening.  The  next 
morning  I  was  shown  the  pipe  by  means  of  which  he 
was  supposed  to  have  scaled  the  wall.  I  at  once 
expressed  my  doubts  of  his  ability  to  accomplish  -so 
difficult  a  feat  by  such  means  ;  but  knowing  he  had 
had  the  whole  night  before  him,  I  quite  naturally  sup- 
posed he  had  gone.  The  following  morning  the  mat- 
ter was  explained,  showing  that  my  surmises  were 
correct.  It  was  ascertained  that  he  did  not  leave  on 
the  first  night,  but  was  concealed  in  the  yard  or  work- 
shops. The  object  of  the  pipe  was  to  mislead  us,  as 
it  assuredly  did.  The  next  night,  keeping  out  of  the 
way  of  the  watchman,  he,  from  his  knowledge  of  the 
various  departments,  succeeded  in  obtaining,  by  break- 
ing open  their  closets,  a  couple  of  coats  and  a  cap 
belonging  to  the  officers,  and  then,  by  splicing  together 
two  short  ladders,  —  he  knowing  just  where  to  find 
them,  —  reached  the  top  of  the  wall,  and  with  a  rope, 
obtained  in  the  same  way,  lowered  himself  to  the 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS,  21 J 

ground  outside,  and  commenced,  I  doubt  not,  a  new 
career  in  crime,  to  be  continued  till  justice  shall  again 
overtake  him. 

In  this  connection,  and  in  consequence  of  the  dis- 
cussion growing  out  of  the  supposed  innocence  of  two 
young  men  recently  pardoned  (November,  1869)  fr°m 
this  prison,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  in- 
quire to  what  extent  are  innocent  parties  convicted  in 
our  courts,  and  the  cause,  and  remedy,  if  any  exist. 

In  discussing  this  subject,  I  disclaim  all  intention 
of  reflecting,  in  the  least  degree,  upon  our  judiciary 
system  ;  it  is,  perhaps,  superior  to  any  in  the  Union. 
Yet,  notwithstanding  the  great  care  taken,  with  judges 
selected  and  appointed  for  their  peculiar  fitness,  inde- 
pendent of  any  political  action,  and  as  free  from  the 
taint  of  partisanship  or  individual  bias  as  it  is  possible 
to  find  man,  yet  mistakes,  from  no  fault  of  the  court  or 
prosecuting  officer,  do  undoubtedly  sometimes  occur, 
and  to  a  greater  extent  than  is  generally  supposed. 

A  crime  has  been  committed ;  suspicion  may  rest 
upon  a  party  who  has  been  in  prison  ;  if  so,  he  is  half 
convicted  when  arrested.  The  feeling  that  "  if  not 
guilty  of  the  particular  crime  charged,  he  may  be  of 
others  equally  as  bad,"  has  more  weight  in  our  minds, 
than  we  would,  I  fear,  be  willing  to  admit. 

Let  us  consider,  for  a  moment,  the  condition  of  a 
man  thus  situated,  and  the  disadvantages  under  which 
he  labors.  Unable  to  procure  bail,  he  is  kept  in  close 
confinement ;  he  has  no  money  to  fee  counsel,  no 
friends  to  advise  with,  no  means  to  secure  witnesses, 
if  he  has  any,  and  ignorant,  perhaps,  of  the  form  of 


2l8  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  charge  against  him  till  arraigned  in  -court.  Of: 
the  other  hand,  the  officer  who  makes  the  arrest,  and 
is  employed  to  "  work  up  the  case,"  is  supposed  to  be 
a  shrewd,  persevering  individual,  with  ambition,  if 
not  a  reward,  to  stimulate  him  ;  he  is  familiar  with 
the  business,  and  knows  how  to  make  the  most  of 
every  word  dropped,  every  movement  made,  and  every 
incident  obtained ;  he  can  sift  the  wheat  from  the 
chaff,  preserving  only  so  much  as  suits  his  side  of  the 
case.  Not  being  paid  by  or  interested  on  the  other 
side,  he  cannot  be  expected  to  follow  up  or  investigate 
any  clew  tending  to  destroy  his  theory.  Is  it  strange, 
in  a  trial  under  such  circumstances,  that  the  govern- 
ment should  sometimes  succeed  in  convicting  an  inno- 
cent man,  and  the  officer  be  complimented  for  his 
tact  and  ability? 

Again,  it  is  not  unusual  for  a  convict  to  claim  to 
be  innocent,  although  on  his  trial  he  may  have  pleaded 
guilty.  This  may  seem  strange  to  those  not  familiar 
with  the  process  of  working  up  criminal  matters,  and  yet 
there  are  unquestionably  such  cases.  A  man  charged 
with  crime,  and  shut  up  waiting  trial,  does  not  always 
know  the  character  of  the  evidence  which  may  be 
brought  against  him  ;  an  officer  who  thinks  a  man 
guilty,  and  is  unable  to  obtain  sufficient  evidence  to 
insure  conviction,  will  sometimes  endeavor  to  per- 
suade him  to  plead  guilty,  intimating  that  he  will, 
probably,  be  convicted,  and  by  pleading  guilty  his 
sentence  will  be  much  less,  and,  perhaps,  the  case 
placed  on  file.  The  prisoner  may  be  a  young  man, 
inexperienced,  and  without  friends  or  money ;  and 
is  it  surprising  that  he  should,  under  such  circum- 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  219 

stances,  take  the  advice  of  one  who  appears  to  be  so 
friendly  ? 

The  writer,  not  long  since,  had  occasion  to  be  in 
court  during  the  trial  of  a  young  man  charged  with 
rape.  It  was  alleged  that  he  enticed  a  young  woman 
into  a  drinking  saloon,  kept  by  himself,  where  the  crime 
was  committed.  The  woman  swore  to  having  entered 
the  building  without  suspicion,  when  she  was  seized, 
and,  notwithstanding  her  cries  and  struggling,  her 
person  was  violated.  An  officer  testified  to  hearing 
the  noise,  and,  forcing  the  door,  found  the  parties  so 
situated  as  to  strongly  corroborate  the  woman's  state- 
ment. Such  was  the  evidence  of  the  government. 
The  prisoner  had  no  counsel,  friends,  or  witnesses, 
and  his  conviction  and  sentence  to  the  State  Prison 
for  life  were  certain  if  the  case  went  to  the  jury. 
Judge  R.  was  then  upon  the  bench,  and  although 
rogues  might  have  had  cause  to  fear  his  sentences,  I 
never  heard  it  intimated  by  a  single  individual,  that 
he  did  not  give  them  every  chance  and  facility  for 
proving  their  innocence,  if  they  claimed  it,  upon  their 
trial.  The  fate  of  the  young  man  seemed  inevitable  ; 
the  judge  hesitated,  and  expressed  an  unwillingness  to 
have  the  case  go  to  the  jury  without  a  defence,  and  in- 
quired if  any  member  of  the  bar  would  volunteer  to 
present  it.  Two  of  them  having  expressed  a  willing- 
ness to  do  so,  the  case  was  reopened,  and  the  woman 
brought  upon  the  stand  again,  and,  on  the  cross-exam- 
ination, it  was  shown  from  her  own  lips,  that  she  was 
plying  her  vocation,  and  the  charge  grew  out  of  a 
disagreement  in  regard  to  money.  The  young  man 
was  finally  convicted  of  an  offence  which  sent  him  to 


22O  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

the  House  of  Correction  for  a  few  months,  instead  of 
the  State  Prison  for  life. 

That  some  men  are  convicted  who  are  innocent  is 
beyond  dispute.  What,  then,  is  the  remedy?  It  is 
thought  by  some  that  there  would  be  as  much  pro- 
priety in  the  government's  employing  counsel  to  prove 
a  man  innocent  as  to  prove  him  guilty.  Without  dis- 
cussing this  point,  I  think  something  might,  and  ought 
to  be,  Jone  by  the  government  to  meet  such  exigen- 
cies as  have  been  presented.  A  competent  person 
should  be  attached  to  every  criminal  court,  whose  duty 
it  should  be  to  advise  and  assist,  free  of  expense,  those 
who  were  found  unable  to  obtain  assistance  in  any 
other  way  ;  not  to  prevent,  but  to  see  that  the  prisoner 
received,  justice,  in  having  the  favorable  as  well  as  the 
unfavorable  side  presented. 

Such  a  course,  I  doubt  not,  would  prevent  many  an 
innocent  man  from  being  convicted,  save  the  governor 
and  council  the  trouble,  and  the  state  the  expense,  of 
investigating  such  cases,  and  silence  the  now  almost 
invariable  complaint  of  the  convict  that  he  received 
neither  fair  play  nor  justice  on  his  trial. 

The  community  would  be  surprised  at  the  number 
of  pardons  applied  for  annually  upon  the  ground  of 
innocence  of  the  parties  convicted,  and  at  the  number 
actually  discharged  upon  such  applications.  Not  that 
innocence  beyond  question  is  always  proved,  —  for  that 
is  a  difficult  matter,  and  rarely  occurs,  —  but  that  so 
much  doubt  is  raised  by  the  introduction  of  new  or  the 
explanation  of  former  evidence,  as  to  show  a  strong 
probability,  if  not  entire  innocence,  and  a  pardon  is 
granted. 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  221 

*'  Better  that  ten  guilty  ones  should  escape  than  that 
one  innocent  should  be  convicted,"  is  a  true  saying. 
Better  also  that  the  state  should  spend  a  thousand 
dollars,  if  necessary,  in  proving  a  man  innocent,  if 
he  be  so,  than  in  convicting  him  under  any  circum- 
stances. 

During  the  past  summer  a  staging  was  erected 
around  the  cupola  which  surmounts  the  main  building 
of  the  prison,  for  the  purpose  of  making  some  repairs. 
Passing  through  the  yard  one  morning,  I  was  accosted 
by  one  of  the  convicts,  who  addressed  me  as  follows : 
uMr.  Warden,  I  would  like  to  ask  a  favor  of  you,  if  I 
thought  it  would  be  granted."  I  replied,  that  if  it  was 
a  proper  one,  I  would  be  happy  to  grant  it.  He  con- 
tinued, "  I  have  been  confined  in  this  prison  almost 
twenty-two  years.  During  that  time  I  have  not  been 
outside,  or  looked  over  these  walls.  I  would  like,  if 
you  would  allow  me,  to  go  up  on  to  that  staging  "  — 
pointing  to  the  cupola  —  "  and  look  out  upon  the  world 
once  more."  "  Certainly,"  I  said  ;  "and  I  will  loan  you 
a  field-glass  to  assist  your  vision."  This  man  was  born 
beneath  the  shadow  of  Harvard  College,  and  always 
lived  in  Cambridge.  He  was  a  wild  boy,  and  gave 
his  family  much  trouble  ;  he  became  a  great  drunkard, 
and  was  frequently  an  inmate  of  the  House  of  Cor- 
rection in  consequence.  On  being  discharged  from 
that  institution,  -after  serving  a  sentence  of  six  months, 
on  a  complaint  made  by  his  mother,  he  went  deliber- 
ately, in  the  night  time,  and  set  fire  to  her  house, 
which  was  entirely  consumed,  and  his  own  brother 
perished  in  the  flames.  He  was  tried  for  the  offence, 


222  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

convicted;  and  sentenced  to  be  hanged  —  the  penalty 
for  arson  at  that  time.  His  sentence  was  finally  com- 
muted by  Governor  Briggs  to  imprisonment  for  life 
in  the  State  Prison.  He  was  received  at  this  institu- 
tion on  the  4th  of  February,  1848,  he  being  at  that 
time  thirty-six  years  old. 

During  the  above  period,  he  had,  as  he  remarked, 
never  been  outside,  or  looked  over  the  walls ;  the 
extent  of  his  vision  had  been  confined  to  the  four 
acres  enclosed  within  those  barriers. 

What  changes  had  taken  place,  not  only  in  this 
vicinity  and  our  country,  but  throughout  the  world, 
during  the  almost  twenty-two  years  of  his  isolation  I 
New  governments  have  arisen,  and  old  dynasties 
crumbled  into  dust. 

Thousands  have  witnessed  the  wonderful  acting,  if 
acting  it  can  be  called,  of  Mr.  Jefferson  in  Rip  Van 
Winkle,  and  have  wept  and  smiled,  in  turn,  at  his 
mystification  on  awaking  from  a  supposed  twenty 
years'  sleep  ;  but  here  was  a  living  reality  —  no  fiction, 
but  truth  itself,  which  is  so  often  the  stranger  of 
the  two. 

James  K.  Polk  was  then  president ;  the  Mexican 
war  had  hardly  terminated ;  the  population  of  the 
country  has  increased  from  twenty-one  to  nearly  forty 
millions,  and  the  number  of  states  from  thirty  to  thirty- 
seven.  The  riches  of  California  had  not  been  discov- 
ered. Clay,  Webster,  Calhoun,  and  Benton  —  those  in- 
tellectual giants  —  were  in  the  Senate,  and  John  Q. 
Adams  was  battling  for  the  right  of  petition  in  the 
House  of  Representatives.  Webster  had  not  made  his 
famous  Seventh  of  March  speech  ;  Sims  and  Burns  had 


SKETCHES    AND    INCIDENTS.  223 

not  been  inarched  down  State  Street  and  returned  into 
slavery  through  the  united  power  of  the  city  and 
state  —  a  most  humiliating  evidence  of  the  then  so- 
called  Union  sentiment  of  Massachusetts,  but  which 
was  so  much  more  nobly  exemplified  during  the  late 
rebellion. 

The  electric  telegraph  was  in  its  infancy,  the  At- 
lantic cable  not  dreamed  of.  Since  these  gates  closed 
upon  him,  the  most  gigantic  rebellion  ever  inaugu- 
rated by  man  has  been  suppressed,  the  great  question 
of  the  age  solved,  the  shackles  stricken  from  four  mil- 
lion slaves,  and  the  Declaration  of  Independence  has 
become  a  living  fact. 

If  the  changes  in  the  outside  world  have  been  greatj 
they  have  not  been  less  so  within  these  walls.  When 
he  entered  this  prison  it  contained  but  three  hundred 
and  four  cells,  occupied  by  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
eight  inmates  ;  we  now  have  six  hundred  and  sixty-six 
cells,  including  the  hospital,  and  our  number  has 
reached  six  hundred.  Since  he  crossed  these  thresh- 
olds, these  massive  doors  have  swung  open  and  ad- 
mitted three  thousand  four  hundred  and  sixty-four 
convicts ;  two  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty-five 
have  been  discharged  by  expiration  of  sentence,  five 
hundred  and  fifteen  have  be"en  pardoned,  and  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-four  have  died.  Of  the  officers  who 
were  here  when  he  came,  two  only  remain. 

We  left  our  convict  about  ascending  to  the  cupola 
of  the  prison  —  an  elevation  of  about  one  hundred  and4 
fifty  feet,  and  from  wjiich  one  of  the  finest  views  is 
obtained  that  ever  the  eye  of  man  rested  upon.  On 
reaching  the  staging,  he  instinctively  turned  the  glass 


224  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

toward  his  old  home ;  before  him  were  spread  out 
the  fields  in  which  he  played  when  a  boy,  the  river 
where  he  bathed  in  summer  and  skated  in  winter  — 
the  scene  of  his  joys,  his  pleasures,  and  his  sorrows. 
Silently  he  directed  his  gaze  to  other  points,  once 
familiar,  but  now  hardly  to  be  recognized,  and  less 
interesting  to  him  ;  but  he  very  soon  came  back  to  the 
starting-point,  and,  after  taking  one  long,  lingering 
look,  he  closed  the  glass,  and,  drawing  a  deep  sigh, 
in  a  trembling  voice  exclaimed,  "All  changed,  all 
changed ! "  and,  without  uttering  another  word,  de- 
scended, and  entered  upon  his  usual  labor  as  quietly 
as  though  nothing  had  happened.  What  his  thoughts 
were  none  can  tell.  Whatever  they  might  momen- 
tarily have  been  upon  that  occasion,  they  were  sure 
to  revert  to  the  great  overshadowing  one  of  all  —  "  in 
prison  for  life." 

A  young  man,  a  notorious  pickpocket,  who  was 
being  conveyed  from  Fitchburg  to  the  State  Prison  to 
serve  a  sentence  of  four  years,  escaped  under  the  fol- 
lowing circumstances :  The  officer  who  had  him  in 
charge,  and  who  was  seated  with  him,  rose  to  speak 
to  a  gentleman  sitting  opposite,  when  the  prisoner, 
shackled,  and  thus  the  danger  of  his  attempt  in- 
creased, quicker  than  thought  sprang  past  him,  opened 
the  car-door,  and  leaped  from  the  platform.  The 
train  was  on  a  down  grade,  one  hour  behind  time, 
and  going  at  a  speed  of  at  least  forty  miles  an  hour; 
the  officer,  therefore,  did  not  d«em  it  prudent  to  fol- 
low. The  train  was  stopped,  and  backed  to  the  place  ; 
we  expected  to  find  him  either  disabled  or  dead  ;  but 


SKETCHES   AND    INCIDENTS.  225 

only  his  hat  could  be  found.  The  shrubbery,  how- 
ever, indicated  that  he  did  not  escape  without  some 
wounds  and  bruises,  it  being  covered  with  blood  ;  even 
a  telegraph  post  was  spattered  with  it.  A  thick  wood 
on  either  side  of  the  road  enabled  him  to  conceal 
himself,  and  make  good  his  escape;  and  up  to  the 
present  time  he  has  succeeded  in  concealing  himself 
from  the  officers  of  the  law. 

The  following  sketch  has  been  put  into  the  hands 
of  the  author  since  the  previous  pages  were  in  type, 
and  although  not  in  chronological  order,  is  inserted  as 
an  interesting  record  of  prison  experiences.  The  ac- 
count is  here  printed  as  it  originally  appeared  in  the 
Boston  Atlas. 

u  Howard  Trask  was  committed  to  the  jail  in  Bos- 
ton on  the  2yth  day  of  November,  1821,  on  a  charge 
of  the  murder  of  Billy  Williams,  in  the  State  Prison. 
He  had  been  sentenced  to  the  State  Prison  for  a  period 
of  seven  years,  and  committed  the  murder  a  few  days 
previous  to  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  his  imprison- 
ment. He  was  indicted,  and  tried  for  the  murder  be- 
fore the  Supreme  Judicial  Court,  held  at  the  close  of 
the  same  year,  and  was  acquitted  by  the  jury  on  the 
ground  of  insanity.  He  was  kept  in  confinement, 
and  on  the  ninth  of  September  in  the  year  following, 
having  apparently  recovered  his  reason  in  some  de- 
gree, he  solicited  the  keeper  to  allow  him  a  companion 
to  read  the  Bible  to  him,  stating  that  he  could  not 
read,  and  that  he  had  heard  of  some  passages  in  the 
word  of  God  which  he  wished  to  learn.  His  request 
being  deemed  reasonable,  was  made  known  to  several 
15 


226  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

of  the  prisoners,  two  of  whom,  committed  on  charges 
of  crime,  consented  to  be  placed  in  his  room.  They 
read  him  such  portions  of  the  Bible  as  he  named,  and 
at  night  retired  to  rest. 

"  About  two  o'clock  the  next  morning,  the  cry  of 
murder  resounded  through  the  prison,  and  the  voice 
of  Trask,  elevated  above  all,  was  heard,  exclaiming, 
'Victory,  victory!  Write  to  the  seven  churches  in 
Ephesus.' 

"  When  the  doors  were  opened,  the  prisoners  had 
hold  of  Trask  by  his  arms,  to  prevent  his  doing  them 
any  more  injury.  They  were  both  found  to  be  danger- 
ously wounded  in  the  abdomen,  and  stated  that  they 
had  been  attacked  by  Trask  whilst  they  were  asleep. 
They  lingered  for  about  a  fortnight  and  then  died. 
For  a  long  time  after  this  event,  Trask  remained  very 
surly,  and  would  not  speak  to  any  one. 

"  On  the  night  of  January  23,  1823,  Trask  suc- 
ceeded in  effecting  his  escape  from  his  cell,  by  remov- 
ing a  large  stone  directly  below  his  window.  It  was 
discovered  that  he  had  drawn  the  large  spikes  which 
fastened  the  planks  to  the  wall,  and  had  very  ingen- 
iously formed  from  the  contents  of  his  night  tub,  the 
appearance  of  a  spike-head,  and  placed  it  over  the 
holes  formed  by  the  spikes,  so  that  no  one  would  have 
suspected  that  the  spikes  had  been  removed.  He  was 
retaken  on  the  third  night  after  his  escape,  only  about 
eleven  miles  from  the  city.  This  fact  seems  conclu- 
sive in  regard  to  his  insanity.  Otherwise,  he  would 
certainly  have  suceeded,  it  is  probable,  in  getting  far- 
ther off.  His  stupidity  continued  for  some  time  after 
he  was  again  lodged  in  jail. 


SKETCHES   AND   INCIDENTS.  227 

"  The  relations  of  Trask  say  that  when  ne  was  a 
boy,  he  was  injured  by  the  fall  of  a  tree  upon  his  head, 
and  that  at  different  times  ever  since,  he  has  had 
strange  turns.  His  ingenuity  is  almost  unparalleled. 
He  will  contrive  to  open  almost  any  lock  with  a  piece 
of  wire,  or  an  old  nail.  He  is  also  very  cunning,  and 
when  you  least  suspect  him,  is  pursuing  some  scheme 
to  obtain  his  liberty.  He  will  often  talk  rationally, 
but  at  other  times  states  he  has  visions. 

"  About  three  years  and  a  half  ago,  the  keeper  of 
the  jail  was  informed  by  a  prisoner  that  Trask  had 
been  out  of  his  cell.  He  was  removed  to  another 
apartment,  and  a  strict  search  made.  To  the  astonish- 
ment of  everybody,  seventeen  different  keys,  made  of 
pewter,  were  found,  which  would  unlock  the  door  of 
every  cell  in  the  arch  where  he  was  confined,  and  all 
the  doors  leading  to  the  other  two  arches  above. 
Three  of  the  keys  would  unlock  the  door  of  his  own 
cell.  A  variety  of  files,  saws,  and  knives  were  dis- 
covered secreted  in  different  parts  of  his  cell,  some 
of  which  were  very  ingeniously  concealed  in  places 
carved  out  of  the  frame  of  his  table  and  the  cleats  of  a 
swing  shelf.  All  the  furniture  of  his  room  had  to  be 
broken  up  and  split  into  small  pieces,  before  all  his 
instruments  were  found.  For  the  last  three  years  his 
behavior  was  peaceable  and  correct,  and  he  made  no 
attempt  to  escape.  He  is  certainly  a  most  singular 
and  extraordinary  being." 

As  the  question  is  sometimes  raised  whether  women 
are  ever  sent  to  our  State  Prison,  it  may  be  said  that, 
in  June,  1823,  Hannah  Atwood,  aged  twenty-four 


228  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

years,  Abigail  Hill,  and  Rhoda  Heath,  nineteen  each, 
were  convicted  in  Boston  of  robbery,  and  sentenced 
to  this  prison  for  life.  They  were  the  last  females 
received  into  the  institution,  and  remained  only  about 
two  years,  when  they  were  pardoned. 

Since  the  prison  was  occupied  in  1805,  the  whole 
number  of  persons  committed  is  seven  thousand  six 
hundred  and  twenty-two,  only  forty-two  of  whom  have 
escaped  —  about  one  half  of  one  per  cent ;  a  large 
proportion  of  these  escapes  was  previous  to  the 
building  of  the  new  prison  in  1828.  Considering  the 
number,  and  the  kind  of  employment,  presenting  as 
it  does  unusual  facilities  for  aiding  them,  the  result  is 
highly  creditable  to  the  vigilance  of  the  authorities. 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

PRISON   DISCIPLINE. 

HAVING  given  in  previous  chapters,  as  concisely  as 
possible,  the  history  of  the  prison,  together  with  a  few  of 
the  more  striking  personal  incidents  which  have  come 
under  the  author's  notice  during  the  years  that  he  has 
been  officially  connected  with  it,  it  seems  proper  to 
present  some  reflections  and  opinions  in  regard  to 
prison  discipline,  suggested  by  experience  and  observa- 
tion. This  is  done  with  the  earnest  desire  to  con- 
tribute something  to  this  great  subject,  which,  second 
to  none  in  importance  in  every  aspect  in  which  it  can 
be  viewed,  whether  in  respect  to  the  community  at 
large  or  the  individual  convict,  has  received  com- 
paratively little  thought  or  attention.  If,  in  the 
remaining  pages  of  this  volume,  the  author  can  suc- 
ceed in  correcting  any  existing  errors,  or  impart  any 
new  and  practical  views  which  shall  look  both  towards 
the  protection  of  society  and  the  reformation  of  the 
criminal,  his  ambition  will  be  fully  realized.  He 
does  not  claim  that  his  opinions  and  conclusions,  his 
theories  arid  his  practice,  are  free  from  defects ;  but 
he  does  feel  that  he  has  given  to  the  subject  careful 
attention,  and  that  he  suggests  no  plans  which  have 
not  commended  themselves  to  his  approbation  in 
actual  trial. 

(231) 


232  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

The  subject  of  prison  discipline  is  one  in  which  tl  * 
community  has  taken  but  little  interest  for  the  last 
twenty-five  years ;  in  fact,  since  the  dissolution  of 
the  Prison  Discipline  Society,  and  the  death  of 
Rev.  Louis  Dwight,  but  little  interest  has  been  man- 
ifested by  any  class  in  the  welfare  of  the  convict  or 
the  management  of  our  prisons. 

The  first  official  declaration  on  the  subject  in  this 
state  was  made  by  the  board  of  directors  of  the  prison 
in  1815,  which  has  been  referred  to  in  the  first  chapter 
of  this  volume,  page  36.  As  some  of  the  views  then 
presented  have  stood  the  test  of  time,  and  as  showing 
clearly  what  opinions  in  regard  to  prison  discipline 
were  then  held,  the  substance  of  that  report  may  with 
propriety  be  given. 

"  The  police  of  a  prison  ought  to  be  as  severe  as 
the  principles  of  humanity  will  possibly  permit.  The 
diet  of  a  convict  ought,  though  wholesome  and  suf- 
ficient to  support  the  calls  of  nature,  to  be  of  the 
coarsest  kind  ;  his  clothes,  while  calculated  to  keep 
him  warm,  ought  to  be  so  arranged  as  to  be  con- 
sidered as  a  means  of  punishment ;  his  mind  ought  to 
be  reduced  to  a  state  of  humiliation  and  discipline  ; 
all  intercourse  with  each  other,  and  more  especial- 
ly with  the  world,  ought  to  be  suppressed,  except 
on  the  most  urgent  occasions ;  the  interference  of 
friends  ought  not  to  be  allowed  ;  if  the  convict  wishes 
to  commune  with  the  world,  let  him  do  it  by  reading 
moral  books ;  luxuries  of  all  kinds  ought  to  be  with- 
held from  him ;  newspapers,  songs,  or  books  of  diver- 
sion ought  never  to  be  permitted  to  enter  within  the 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  233 

walls  of  a  prison ;  the  prison  should  be  considered  as 
a  world  by  itself,  and  its  inhabitants  know  nothing  of 
what  is  passing  without  its  orbit.  The  rules  and 
regulations  ought  to  be  carried  into  the  most  exact 
operation,  and  the  smallest  deviation  from  duty  pun- 
ished with  severity* 

"  Whenever  a  convict  transgresses,  he  should  be  pun- 
ished until  his  mind  is  conquered  ;  the  labor  assigned 
to  him  must  be  performed  with  faithfulness,  and  the 
slightest  disposition  to  neglect  it  noticed  and  corrected. 

"  In  fine,  convicts  ought  to  be  brought  to  the  situa- 
tion of  clay  in  the  hands  of  the  potter,  subject  to  be 
moulded  to  whatever  form  the  government  of  the 
prison  may  think  necessary  to  secure  the  completion 
of  the  views  of  the  legislature  when  establishing  the 
institution. 

"  As  the  diet,  clothing,  and  police  of  the  convict 
ought  to  be  transformed  into  indirect  punishment, 
with  a  view  of  aiding  the  penitentiary  branch,  the 
conduct  of  the  officers  intrusted  with  the  execution  of 
the  laws  and  oversight  of  their  labor  should  be  con- 
sistent, firrn^  and  dignified ;  their  conversation  should 
be  chaste,  and  their  language  mild  and  temperate* 
They  should  hold  no  unnecessary  conversation  with 
the  convicts,  much  less  indulge  the  least  familiarity. 
They  should  bear  in  mind  that,  as  a  body,  the  con- 
victs are  depraved  characters,  constantly  plotting  mis- 
chief, and  therefore  should  ever  be  on  their  guard 
against  their  machinations,  by  discountenancing,  and 
breaking  up  the  first  dawnings  of  close  conversation, 
or  apparent  combinations  with  each  other,  whether 
these  appearances  discover  themselves  in  the  work- 


234  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

shops,  the  yard,  or  the  cells.  And  they  should  be 
careful  to  report  to  the  warden  the  slightest  aberration 
from  duty,  either  among  the  convicts  or  among  their 
brother  officers.  They  should  consider  the  prison  as 
a  volcano,  containing  lava,  which,  if  not  kept  in 
subjection,  will  destroy  friends  and  foes ;  and  there- 
fore they  should  ever  be  on  their  guard  against  an 
eruption. 

"  That  inasmuch  as  the  treatment  which  prisoners 
should  experience  while  under  sentence  should  be  a 
portion  of  the  punishment,  and  in  strict  compliance 
with  this  principle,  it  is  highly  improper  that  con- 
victs should  receive  any  diet,  clothing,  or  bedding, 
except  what  is  allotted  to  them  by  the  government  of 
the  institution ;  that  every  article  that  can  be  esteemed 
a  luxury  be  withheld  ;  that  all  intercourse  with  the 
world,  as  far  as  it  is  practicable,  be  prevented  ;  that  the 
most  decided  measures  be  adopted  to  prevent  any  con- 
duct from  being  practised  by  them,  either  in  the  work- 
shops, yard,  or  cells,  which  may  injure  the  penitentiary 
system  ;  that  they  be  not  allowed  to  converse  with  each 
other  while  at  their  work,  or  permitted  to  read  any 
books  except  the  Scriptures,  those  of  a  devotional 
kind,  or  calculated  to  improve  the  understanding ;  that 
the  interference  of  friends  or  relatives  be  suppressed 
to  the  narrowest  limits,  and  the  rules  and  regulations 
of  the  prison  enforced  with  the  greatest  exactitude ; 
that  contractors  be  restrained  from  secretly  paying  the 
convicts  compensation  for  overwork  or  extra  labor ; 
that  neither  a  discharged  convict  or  any  of  his  im- 
mediate family  be  allowed  to  visit  the  prison  on 
any  pretence  whatever ;  that  it  be  ever  impressed 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  235 

upon  the  mind  of  the  convicts  that  there  is  no  hope 
of  pardon  but  through  obedience  and  regular  deport- 
ment" 

It  was  also  ordered  "that  the  warden  notify  the  con- 
victs that  they  must  deliver  up  to  the  keeper  of  the 
prison,  within  five  days  after  their  arrival,  all  moneys, 
bank  bills,  or  other  property  in  their  possession,  and 
that  such  bills  or  moneys,  or  other  property  thus  deliv- 
ered up,  should  be  passed  to  their  credit  on  the  books 
of  the  prison,  and  restored  to  them  on  the  expiration 
of  their  confinement ;  and  in  case  any  convict  should 
refuse  or  neglect  to  comply  with  this  order,  and  mon- 
eys or  bank  bills  be  found  about  his  person,  or  in  the 
cells,  such  moneys  or  bills  were  to  be  forfeited,  and 
detained  and  held  for  the  purpose  of  constituting  a 
fund  to  provide  clothing  for  destitute  exemplary  con- 
victs on  their  restitution  to  society."  And  it  was  fur- 
ther "ordered,  that  the  distinction  in  dress  between 
the  first,  second,  and  third  comers  be  abolished,  and 
that  the  convicts,  without  distinction,  be  dressed  in 
blue  and  red,  as  is  provided  by  existing  rules  and  reg- 
ulations, except  that  those  who  have  been  here  more 
than  once,  wear  a  number  on  their  back  expressive  of 
the  times  they  have  been  confined  in  the  prison." 

Mr.  Dwight,  before  referred  to,  probably  did  more 
towards  ameliorating  the  condition  of  our  prisoners, 
and  improving  the  discipline  of  our  prisons,  than  any 
other  person  in  the  state  or  country.  He  may  with 
propriety  be  called  the  Howard  of  America.  Pre- 
vented by  indisposition  from  following  his  profession 
as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  compelled  to  exercise 
much  in  the  open  air,  he  became  gradually  interested 


236  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

in  the  subject  to  which  he  afterwards  devoted  so  much 
of  his  time,  in  visiting  the  prisons  throughout  the 
country,  collecting  facts  and  statistics,  and  laying  them 
before  the  public.-  He  was  instrumental  in  forming 
the  Prison  Discipline  Society,  and  was  its  efficient 
secretary  till  his  death. 

The  condition  of  the  prisons  iri  the  various  states  at 
the  time  he  began  his  labors  was  such  as  is  difficult 
to  believe  at  the  present  day.  An  extract  from  one 
of  his  letters,  written  at  Washington,  the  capital  of  the 
nation,  and  dated  January  28,  1825,  will  tell  its  own 
story. 

"  In  one  small  room  I  have  seen  three  women  and 
four  children.  Two  of  these,  white  women,  were 
wrapped  in  blankets,  like  Indian  women,  apparently 
•with  no  other  clothing.  When  I  looked  into  the  room, 
they  sat  down  upon  the  floor  to  hide  themselves.  The 
children  were  three  brothers  and  their  little  sister,  the 
oldest  twelve,  and  the  youngest  four  years  old,  —  com- 
mitted to  prison  without  a  parent,  to  keep  them  from 
the  hands  of  to.  trader  in  human  flesh.  They  were  the 
children  of  a  white  man  and  a  black  woman,  his  slave. 
Their  father  is  dead,  and  gave  his  own  offspring  their 
freedom  in  his  last  will.  But  his  executor,  to  save  his 
REAL  estate,  would  sell  his  children  to  pay  his  debts. 
The  marshal  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  to  save  these 
children  from  bondage,  committed  them  to  prison. 
Here  I  saw  them.  The  little  girl  was  sick,  and  lying 
in  famtness  on  the  floor.  The  other  children  were 
standing  around  her.  For  that  sick  child  there  was 
no  bed  in  the  narrow  and  dark  cell.  Nothing  was 
spread  over  her,  and  she  had  on  but  a  single  garment 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE  237 

The  garments  of  the  women  and  children  are  nevei 
washed  while  they  remain  in  prison,  and  they  are  fur- 
nished with  no  water,  except  what  is  furnished  in 
their  cups.  There  are  other  circumstances,  in  relation 
to  their  misery  in  this  room,  which  I  cannot  even  men- 
tion. If  there  are  not  lessons  of  contentment  and  grat- 
itude for  us  in  this  story,  I  have  learned  no  such  lessons. 
Do  you  ask  me  wrhat  /did  for  these  children?  I  could 
do  nothing.  Places  might  have  been  found  for  them  ; 
but  then  a  prowling  wolf  wrould  claim  them  as  prop- 
erty, and  sell  them  as  slaves.  I  have  seen  so  many 
in  similar  circumstances,  that  I  am  constrained  to  go 
on  my  way  with  an  assurance,  that  when  I  shall  bring 
before  the  church  of  Christ  a  statement  of  what  my 
eyes  have  seen,  there  will  be  a  united  and  powerful 
effort  in  the  United  States  to  alleviate  the  miseries  of 
prisons." 

Much  more  of  the  same  kind  could  be  presented,  if 
necessary,  to  show  the  abject  state  to  which  prisoners 
were  reduced  at  this  period.  Mr.  Dwight,  like  all  re- 
formers, was  looked  upon  by  the  community,  and  even 
by  his  friends,  as  being  a  little  quixotic  in  his  attempts 
to  introduce  any  reformatory  measures  into  such  an 
immense  mass  of  sin  and  wretchedness  as  he  had  de- 
scribed;  and  the  inquiry  was  frequently  made  of,  him, 
"  What  do  you  expect  to  do  for  them  ?  And  how  do 
you  intend  to  relieve  them  ?  "  His  answer  generally 
was,  u  I  cannot  tell  now  in  what  way  I  shall  be  able 
to  do  this.  I  only  know  that  they  are  the  most  mis- 
erable and  degraded  of  the  human  race,  and  that  no 
one  in  this  country  is  doing  anything  for  their  relief. 
This  is  enough  to  make  me  wish  to  do  what  I  can  for 
them." 


238  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

We  can  hardly  realize  at  this  day  that,  within  the 
last  half  century,  in  our  own  enlightened,  humane,  and 
Christian  New  England,  a  place  for  the  confinement 
of  human  beings,  as  described  below,  could  be  found. 
The  description,  believed  to  be  correct  in  its  details,  is 
copied  from  a  pamphlet  in  the  author's  possession. 

"  In  the  northern  part  of  the  good  State  of  Connec- 
ticut, an  hour's  toilsome  drive  westward  from  the  river 
of  the  same  name,  towers  a  precipitous  and  craggy 
ridge  of  rocks,  —  a  spur  from  the  mountain  chain  that 
traverses  nearly  the  entire  length  of  New  England. 
On  the  western  declivity  of  this  ridge,  about  a  century 
ago,  an  English  company,  chartered  by  the  crown, 
commenced  excavations  for  copper  ore.  Two  ships 
were  freighted,  at  great  expense,  with  the  un wrought 
material,  and  sailed  for  the  old  country.  Neither  of 
them  reached  its  destination.  One  became  the  prize 
of  French  cruisers,  the  other  of  the  avaricious  sea. 
The  mining  company,  disheartened  by  the  addition 
of  these  losses  to  their  heavy  outlays,  abandoned  their 
whole  venture,  leaving  behind  them  the  cavernous  pits 
in  which  their  laborers  had  wrought.  In  the  exigencies 
of  the  revolutionary  war,  these  caverns  were  occu- 
pied as  places  of  confinement  for  state  convicts ;  and 
in  1790,  by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Connec- 
ticut, a  gloomy  and  frowning  pile  of  buildings,  closely 
resembling  the  fortresses  and  keep  of  feudal  times,  was 
erected  over  these  subterranean  dens,  and  the  estab- 
lishment was  inaugurated  as  a  Newgate  prison.  A 
visitor  to  this  American  Bastile,  in  1807,  thus  describes 
its  internal  regime :  — 


PRISON  DISCIPLINE.  239 

"  '  On  being  admitted  into  the  jail  yard,  I  found  a 
sentry  under  arms  within  the  gate,  and  eight  soldiers 
drawn  up  in  a  line  in  front  of  the  jailer's  house.  A 
bell,  summoning  the  prisoners  to  work,  had  already 
rung,  and  in  a  few  moments  they  began  to  make 
their  appearance.  They  came  "in  irregular  numbers, 
—  sometimes  two  or  three  together,  and  sometimes  a 
single  one  alone ;  but,  whenever  one  or  more  were^ 
about  to  cross  the  yard  to  the  smithery,  the  soldiers 
were  ordered  to  present,  in  readiness  to  fire.  The 
prisoners  were  heavily  ironed  and  secured,  both  by 
handcuffs  and  fetters,  and,  being  therefore  unable  to 
walk,  could  only  make  their  way  by  a  sort  of  jump 
or  hop.  On  entering  the  smithery,  some  went  to  the 
sides  of  the  forges,  where  collars,  dependent  by  iron 
chains  from  the  roof,  were  fastened  round  their  necks  ; 
and  others  were  chained  in  pairs  to  wheelbarrows.' 
And  in  this  manner,  under  the  watch  of  armed  sen- 
tries, the  prisoners  performed  their  daily  tasks.  Our 
visitor  felt  curious  to  inspect  the  cells  where  the  con- 
victs lodged  at  night.  He  was  conducted  to  the  mouth 
of  one  of  the  old  mining-shafts,  which  he  found  closed 
by  a  ponderous  trap-door.  fc  The  trap-door  being 
lifted,'  he  continues,  '  I  went  down  an  iron  ladder, 
perpendicularly  fixed,  to  the  depth  of  fifty  feet.  From 
the  foot  of  the  ladder,  a  rough,  narrow,  and  low  pas- 
sage descends  still  deeper,  till  it  terminates  at  a  well 
of  clear  water,  over  which  is  an  air-shaft,  seventy  feet 
in  height,  and  guarded  at  its  mouth,  which  is  within 
the  jail  yard,  by  a  hatch  of  iron.  The  cells  are  near 
the  wall,  but  at  different  depths  beneath  the  surface ; 
none,  perhaps,  exceeded  sixty  feet.  They  are  small, 


240  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

rugged,  and  accommodated  with  wooden  berths  and 
some  straw.  The  straw  was  wet,  and  there  was  much 
humidity  in  every  part  of  this  obscure  region.  Into 
these  cells  the  prisoners  are  dismissed  at  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  every  day,  without  exception,  and  at 
all  seasons  of  the  year.'  They  descend  in  their  fetters 
and  handcuffs ;  and  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning 
they  ascend  the  iron  ladder,  climbing  it  as  well  as  they 
can  by  the  aid  of  their  fettered  limbs.'  " 

Let  any  one  visit  now  the  prisons  which  he  visited 
in  that  year,  1825,  and  contrast  their  present  condition 
with  what  it  was  at  that  time,  and  the  devotion  of  his 
life  to  the  cause  of  the  prisoner  would  not  seem  a 
quixotic  scheme. 

At  the  present  time  the  importance  of  this  question 
seems  to  be  better  understood  and  appreciated,  and  a 
desire  for  information  relative  to  the  management  of 
our  prisons  is  increasing  throughout  the  country. 

This  is  due  in  a  great  measure  to  the  agitation,  dis- 
cussion, and  investigations  of  this  subject  by  the  Phila- 
delphia Prison  Discipline  Society,  the  New  York  Asso- 
ciation, and  our  Board  of  State  Charities.  The  result 
has  been,  that  a  greater  variety  of  facts,  reliable  statis- 
tics, and  general  information  has  been  given  the  public 
this  year  than  ever  before. 

Unfortunately,  the  standard  by  which  the  manage- 
ment of  a  prison  is  determined,  not  only  by  the  people 
generally,  but  even  by  some  of  the  above  associations, 
is  the  pecuniary  income  to  the  state  ;  and  the  superin- 
tendent or  warden  who  can  point  to  the  best  record  in 
this  particular  is  admitted  to  be  the  most  successful, 
although  the  system  or  means  by  which  this  result  was 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  241 

brought  about  might  not  meet  their  candid  approba- 
tion in  any  one  particular. 

One  of  the  most  important  questions  at  the  present 
time  is  the  system  of  prison  labor.  In  most  of  the 
prisons  throughout  the  country,  the  contract  system,  as 
it  is  termed,  exists  ;  that  is,  the  letting  of  the  men  to 
contractors  at  a  definite  sum  per  day,  they  furnishing 
tools,  benches,  power,  and  instruction,  and  the  state 
shop-room,  heating,  ancl  officers.  The  system  varies 
in  different  states.  In  some,  the  contractor  agrees  to 
feed,  clothe,  and  support  the  convicts,  pay  the  officers' 
salaries,  and  all  other  expenses  of  the  prison,  in  return 
for  their  labor  ;  in  others,  a  certain  amount  per  day  for 
the  men,  and  pay  for  the  officers  of  the  shops,  who  are 
to  act  as  instructors.  In  these  institutions  the  refor- 
mation of  the  convict  is  not  considered.  Punishment 
and  profit,  or  at  least  the  exemption  of  the  state  from 
any  pecuniary  responsibility  in  regard  to  their  pris- 
oners, are  the  objects  to  be  gained. 

In  Massachusetts  the  system  pursued  differs  in  some 
respects  from  all  the  others,  and,  although  not  perfect, 
it  approaches  much  nearer  the  ideal  theory  than  is 
true  of  any  other  state  in  the  country. 

It  is  thought  by  some  that  this  system  interferes 
with  the  discipline  of  the  prison.  Doubtless  it  does 
to  some  extent,  but  not  more  than  any  other  where 
outside  parties  are  introduced.  It  would  be  necessary 
should  the  state  carry  on  business  on  its  own  account, 
to  have  the  same  number  of  instructors  and  outside 
laborers  that  are  employed  at  the  present  time  ;  and  the 
rules  in  regard  to  their  appointment  and  government 
could  not  be  more  strict  or  effective  than  at  present. 

The  authorities  now  retain  the  entire  and  full  con- 


242  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

trol  of  the  discipline  of  the  convicts,  and  no  outside 
party  is  admitted  in  any  capacity  but  such  as  is  ap- 
proved by  the  warden,  and  they  are  to  be  governed 
by  the  following  rule  :  — 

"  Contractors,  their  agents  or  foremen,  are  not  per- 
mitted to  have  any  other  conversation  with  the  con- 
victs but  such  as  may  be  necessary  to  instruct  them  in 
their  work,  and  shall  not,  under  any  circumstances, 
inflict  any  punishment,  in  any  manner,  upon  any  con- 
vict whatever.  They  are  to  report  to  the  officers 
having  charge  of  the  convicts  in  their  departments, 
all  violations  of  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the 
prison.  Their  intercourse  with  the  officers  of  the 
shops  shall  be  such  only  as  is  necessarily  connected 
with  the  prosecution  of  the  business  under  their 
charge.  No  foreman  or  agent  shall  be  employed  by 
a  contractor  without  first  obtaining  the  consent  of  the 
warden  ;  and  no  person  other  than  the  necessary  fore- 
man or  agent  shall  be  employed  with  the  convicts  in 
the  prison,  and  he  or  tjiey  shall  be  removable  at  the 
pleasure  of  the  warden.  If  a  convict  presume  to 
speak  to  a  contractor,  his  agent,  or  others  in  his  em- 
ploy, on  subjects  not  relating  to  the  work  or  business 
on  which  he  may  be  engaged,  they  are  bound  to 
report  such  conduct  without  delay.  Contractors,  or 
their  agents,  are  not  permitted  to  allow  any  perqui- 
site, emolument,  or  reward  of  any  kind,  to  the  con- 
victs ;  nor  can  they  be  permitted  to  give  them  a  book, 
or  any  other  thing,  or  grant  them  any  favor,  without 
permission  of  the  warden." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  Chapter  CLXXIX. 
of  the  General  Statutes  of  the  Commonwealth  upon 
this  subject :  — 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  243 

"  Whoever  delivers,  or  procures  to  be  delivered,  or 
has  in  his  possession  with  intent  to  deliver,  to  a  con- 
vict confined  in  the  State  Prison,  or  deposits  or  conceals 
in  or  about  the  prison,  or  the  dependencies  thereof,  or 
in  any  boat,  carriage,  or  other  vehicle,  going  into  the 
premises  belonging  to  the  prison,  any  article  or  thing,-- 
with  intent  that  a  convict  confined  in  the  prison  shall 
obtain  or  receive  the  same,  —  and  whoever  receives 
from  a  convict  any  article  or  thing  with  intent  to  con- 
vey the  same  out  of  the  prison,  contrary  to  the  rules 
and  regulations  thereof,  and  without  the  knowledge 
and  permission  of  the  warden  or  board  of  inspectors, 
—  shall  be  punished  by  imprisonment  in  the  State  Pris- 
on or  jail  not  exceeding  two  years,  or  by  a  fine  not 
exceeding  five  hundred  dollars." 

The  questions  are  often  asked,  if  the  profits  of  the 
contractors  are  not  large  ;  and  if  the  various  branches 
could  not  be  carried  on  by  the  state,  and  thus  secure 
those  profits  to  the  prison.  Prison  labor,  at  the  prices 
usually  paid  for  it,  is,  no  doubt,  remunerative  ;  and  yet 
it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  convince  capitalists  of  the 
fact :  business  men  are  very  reluctant  to  make  con- 
tracts even  at  a  low  price,  notwithstanding  the  privi- 
leges they  receive  in  the  way  of  rents,  &c.  In  a 
prison  with  a  small  number  of  convicts,  doubtless 
some  kinds  of  work  might  be  carried  on  by  the 
state  profitably  ;  but  in  one  like  ours,  with  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  inmates,  it  would  be  quite  impossible  ; 
at  least,  without  an  entire  change  in  the  kind  of  labor. 
A  man  might  be  a  very  proper  person  for  warden, 
and  yet  not  have  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  several 
branches  of  business  now  carried  on  in  the  prison  to 


244  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

manage  them  successfully.  The  statutes  establishing 
and  regulating  this  prison  say  that  u  the  warden  shall 
not  be  employed  in  any  business  which  does  not  per- 
tain to  the  duties  of  his  office."  An  examination  of 
those  duties  would  satisfy  any  reasonable  person  that 
the  warden  who  faithfully  discharged  them  would 
have  time  or  inclination  for  little  else. 

Again :  it  would  require  a  capital  of  at  least  eight 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  to  be  furnished  by  the  state, 
the  creating  of  an  army  of  officers,  agents,  salesmen, 
&c.,  and  the  establishing  of  an  uncertain  system,  which 
would  not  relieve,  but  augment,  many  evils  from  which 
we  suffer  at  the  present  time.  So  that  the  system  of 
prison  labor,  as  now  conducted  in  this  state,  in  spite 
of  some  defects,  seems,  in  the  judgment  of  the  warden, 
satisfactory  in  its  general  results,  as  well  as  hi  the 
details  attending  its  practical  operation. 

A  feature  in  discipline,  to  which  reference  has  been 
made  on  previous  pages,  is  thus  advocated  in  my 
report  of  1863  :  — 

"  It  cannot  be  denied  that  imprisonment,  under  the 
most  favorable  circumstances,  has  a  tendency  to  un- 
dermine and  destroy  the  constitution.  Few  men  —  it 
matters  not  how  strong  or  physically  developed  they 
may  be  —  can  live  through  a  ten  years'  sentence:  the 
necessary  restriction,  the  monotony  surrounding  them, 
the  deprivation  of  almost  all  social  enjoyment,  the 
indulgence  in  secret  vice,  the  hopes  and  fears  in  regard 
to  executive  clemency,  and  the  looking  forward  to 
long,  tedious  years  of  confinement,  —  all  have  a  ten- 
dency to  depress  the  spirits,  injure  the  health,  and 
break  down  the  strongest  constitution. 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  245 

"  In  this  connection  the  thought  occurs,  '  Can  no 
means  be  devised  by  which  some  of  the  evils  named 
can  be  obviated,  or  softened,  without  interfering  with 
the  great  and  fundamental  object  of  the  prison ;  viz., 
the  reformation  and  punishment  of  its  inmates?'  My 
opinion,  founded  upon  experience  and  a  close  and 
careful  examination  of  the  subject,  is,  that  there  can. 
I  may  be  somewhat  in  advance  of  public  opinion,  or 
of  the  views  entertained  by  those  wedded  to  ideas  now 
fast  becoming  obsolete  ;  but  the  experiment  tried  on 
the  Fourth  of  July  and  the  late  national  Thanksgiv- 
ing Day,  of  allowing  the  inmates  an  hour  of  almost 
unrestricted  recreation  and  enjoyment  together  in  the 
yard,  has  settled  the  matter  conclusively  in  my  mind. 
Whether  we  view  it  in  the  light  of  enjoyment  by  the 
men,  the  great  propriety  observed,  the  good  feeling 
engendered,  or  the  subsequent  effect  upon  the  disci- 
pline, in  every  point  of  view  it  was  a  perfect  success. 

"  The  devoting  an  hour  occasionally  in  the  same 
way,  under  proper  rules  and  regulations,  would.,  I  am 
certain,  prove  the  most  important  measure,  in  a  sani- 
tary point  of  view,  that  could  be  adopted.  It  would 
have  a  tendency  to  break  the  monotony  of  their  lives, 
give  them  the  necessary  out-door  exercise  so  requisite 
to  health,  furnish  them  with  food  for  thought  and 
contemplation,  and  withdraw  the  mind,  in  a  great 
degree,  from  themselves  and  the  imaginary  wrongs 
over  which  they  brood  and  mope,  until  it  becomes  to 
them  almost  a  reality,  terminating  too  frequently  in 
insanity  or  death. 

"  Again  :  it  could  be  made  instrumental  in  enforcing 
the  discipline  of  the  prison,  by  allowing  those  only 


246  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE    PRISON. 

the  privilege  who  behaved  well.  I  can  imagine  no 
evil  that  could  possibly  arise  from  it,  but,  on  the  other 
hand,  much  good." 

The  practical  effect  of  a  holiday  season,  such  as  is 
here  advocated,  may  be  seen  in  the  following  extracts 
from  letters  written  by  prisoners  to  their  friends. 
Names  are,  of  course,  omitted. 

"  The  warden  told  the  men  he  would  give  them  an 
hour's  liberty  out  in  the  yard,  free  from  all  restraint, 
and  that  they  might  enjoy  themselves  in  any  way  they 
liked  best.  So,  after  chapel  service,  we  all  went  into 
the  yard.  I  sat  down  alone  by  myself,  for  I  felt  a 
curiosity  to  see  how  the  men  would  behave ;  and  I  am 
glad  to  say  they  all  behaved  themselves  with  the  ut- 
most propriety.  The  first  thing  they  did  was  to  give 
three  cheers  for  the  warden  ;  then  they  all  scattered 
like  school-boys ;  some  went  to  kicking  football, 
others  went  to  dancing  ;  one  man  played  on  a  violin  ; 
and  they  had  a  regular  break-down;  others  were 
walking  or  standing  in  groups  conversing  with  each 
Dther,  probably  old  acquaintances,  that  had  not  ex- 
changed a  word  for  years ;  they  seemed  to  talk  for 
dear  life  ;  some  were  reading  the  news,  for  the  war- 
den had  newspapers  tacked  up  in  the  yard,  with  the 
latest  news  from  the  seat  of  war.  There  were  some 
ladies  and  gentlemen  present,  who  seemed  to  take  an 
interest  in  the  recreation.  The  warden  had  a  band 
of  musicians  come  into  the  yard,  and  they  played  dur- 
ing the  hour  ;  the  music  sounded  very  delightfully.  In 
short,  everything  went  off  pleasantly,  and  in  order, 
and  I  perceive  it  had  a  very  good  effect  on  the 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  24^ 

prisoners ;  they  all  appear  more  cheerful  and  con- 
tented since.  After  men  have  been  long  confined 
under  restraint,  their  minds  become  very  much  soured  ; 
they  feel  hard  towards  their  keepers  and  everybody 
else ;  but  such  a  privilege  as  that  on  the  Fourth, 
or  any  other  indulgence  granted,  does  much  to  soften 
down  those  feelings  and  make  them  better  men.  This 
is  a  privilege  which  has  never  been  granted  before. 
Our  present  warden  has  done  a  great  deal  for  the 
benefit  and  comfort  of  the  prisoners  since  he  has  been 
here.  It  was  by  his  instrumentality  that  tobacco  wras 
allowed  to  come  into  the  prison  —  a  blessing  that  the 
prisoner  prizes  next  to  his  liberty.  He  has  had  large 
windows  made  in  the  prison,  which  make  it  light  and 
pleasant,  and  take  away  the  gloomy  appearance  of 
the  prison  it  had  before.  He  has  done  a  great  deal 
for  the  welfare  of  the  prisoners.  They  do  not  allow 
.them  to  have  newspapers  here  yet,  but  I  think  the 
time  will  come  when  they  will,  for  they  could  do  no 
harm,  but  would  benefit  them  much,  and  save  a  great 
deal  of  punishment" 

44  On  the  Fourth  of  July  I  had  a  foretaste  of  that 
liberty,  if  God  spares  my  life,  I  will  soon  enjoy.  Our 
worthy  warden  graciously  permitted  the  reins  of  reg- 
ulation and  discipline  to  relax,  and  for  one  joyous 
hour  we  had  the  free  range  of  the  yard,  with  neces- 
sary exceptions,  and  the  liberty  of  enjoying  our- 
selves as  best  we  might.  .  .  .  We  repaired  to  the 
yard  ;  good-humor  beamed  upon  the  faces  of  all,  none 
more  so  than  upon  that  of  your  scapegrace  son.  All 
was  agreeably  enhanced  by  listening  to  the  enlivening 


248  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

strains  of  harmony  discoursed  by  a  juvenile  brass 
band  stationed  in  the  yard.  Papers,  tacked  up  in 
conspicuous  places,  were  provided  for  those  who 
wished  to  see  what  was  going  on  in  the  outside  world, 
and  were  not  already  posted.  A  football,  also,  for  the 
more  boisterous  ;  and  it  seemed  to  relieve  them  of  their 
combativeness,  if  I  was  to  judge  from  their  smiling 
faces.  I  myself  bestowed  a  few  kicks,  but  was 
obliged  to  desist  on  account  of  shortness  of  wind,  and 
a  rent  made  in  my  inexpressibles.  Some  looked  at 
jig-dancing,  some  strolled  about  the  yard,  some  joined 
an  eccentric  old  fellow,  who  essayed  to  get  up  a 
military  review,  &c." 

•"  .  .  .  The  associations  around  me  tend  to  restrain 
liveliness  of  expression  and  vivacity  of  feeling,  and 
the  influence  is  likely  to  communicate  itself  to 
my  correspondence ;  but  yesterday,  on  the  glorious 
Fourth,  that  restraint  was  for  a  while  taken  off.  We 
inarched  to  the  yard,  were  dismissed,  each  at  liberty 
to  do,  consistently,  as  he  pleased ;  to  laugh,  to  run, 
to  jump,  to  whistle,  to  sing,  to  dance,  to  '  go  in,'  and 
have  a  good  time  generally,  —  all  of  which  I  did. 
Then  there  was  football  and  fiddle-playing,  and  a 
brass  band  that  performed  for  our  especial  benefit ; 
and  we  played  at  soldiers,  marched  and  counter- 
marched ;  and  then  the  old  captain,  who  was  drilling, 
wanted  us  to  form  by  battalions,  and  wheel  by  sec- 
tions, into  a  hollow  square,  and  we  didn't  understand 
him,  so  couldn't  do  it,  and  he  gave  it  up  in  despair. 
Such  fun  and  merriment  as  we  had  !  I  wish  you  could 
have  seen  us.  Such  a  scene  !  Such  hand-shaking  and 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  249 

talking,  such  good-humor  and  happiness,  that  you 
would  have  thought  us  anything  but  society's  worst 
friends  !  But  we  felt  the  liberty  the  day  immortalizes, 
and  were  therefore  jubilant.  But  all  things  have  an 
ending,  and  so  did  our  pleasure.  But  it  was,  I  assure 
you,  gratefully  acknowledged  and  appreciated  by  all. 
Its  pleasant  influence  has  not  departed  from  me  yet." 

"...  The  warden  let  the  whole  of  us  go  into 
the  yard  on  the  Fourth,  and  enjoy  ourselves  the  best 
way  we  could  for  an  hour.  There  was  a  band  that 
played  near  all  the  time  ;  some  kicked  football,  some 
wrestled,  some  danced,  but  all  hands  were  happy  and 
forgot  their  troubles  ;  and  if  I  had  one  hour  taken  off 
from  my  time  for  every  time  the  warden's  name  was 
mentioned,  my  sentence  would  be  short ;  for  it  was 
about  the  first  and  the  last  word  that  every  man 
spoke.  And  long  may  he  live." 

"  .  .  .  We  had  a  glorious  Fourth  of  July.  Haven't 
we  had  a  good  time !  I  guess  this  old  prison 
never  saw  the  like  before.  You  see  our  beloved 
warden  gave  us  freedom  for  two  hours  out  in  the 
yard,  and  if  we  didn't  enjoy  ourselves  I  should  like 
to  know  who  did.  We  began  writh  three  cheers,  and 
then  some  of  us  kicked  football,  some  read  the  news- 
paper, some  listened  to  the  music,  for  we  had  a 
band ;  some  had  a  dance,  for  we  had  a  fiddle,  too. 
The  band  was  made  up  by  boys,  and  they  played 
first  rate.  I  kicked  football,'  and  am  as  lame  as  an 
old  horse  to-day.  Yes,  old  boy,  we  were  as  free  as 
if  outside. .  There  was  never  such  a  thing  heard  of 


250  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

before,  and  I  hope  the  warden  will  live  long,  and  stay 
here  too.  God  bless  him.  And  I  must  say  we  all 
behaved  tip-top.  We  did  not  have  a  fight,  nor  an 
angry  word  all  the  time.  I  think  I  enjoyed  this 
Fourth  better  than  any  I  ever  remember." 

"  I  don't  know  when  I  have  spent  a  Fourth  of  July 
more  pleasantly  than  the  one  of  yesterday.  I  will  tell 
you  how  it  was.  The  warden,  to  show  how  he  felt 
for  the  men,  .  .  .  gave  us  an  hour  and  a  half  in  the 
yard,  throwing  off  all  restraints  that  he  possibly  could, 
without  opening  the  gates ;  he  gave  us  a  football  to 
kick,  told  the  men  they  might  talk,  laugh,  sing,  or 
dance,  as  they  felt  disposed,  and  was  even  so  thought- 
ful as  to  paste  up  round  the  yard  daily  papers  con- 
taining the  war  news  and  other  things,  so  that  we 
might  know  something  of  what  was  going  on  in  the 
world  outside  ;  and  all  the  time  a  fine  band  of  music 
was  playing.  I  spent  my  time  in  talking  to  my  ac- 
quaintance, except  when  the  ball  came  our  way 
Dear  Maria,  I  never  knew  the  happiness  before  of 
using  the  tongue.  Don't  you  think  it  must  have  been 
a  happy  hour?"  &c. 

"  We  had  a  great  day  over  here  yesterday.  We 
were  in  the  yard  an  hour  or  two.  We  had  a  band  of 
music,  with  drums  and  bugles ;  and  we  had  fiddles, 
and  dancing,  and  singing,  and  a  football,  and  plenty 
to  kick  it ;  and  all  who  wanted  marched  around  the 
3^ard  with  the'  band  to  play  for  them.  We  did  march 
for  a  while,  but  our  old  captain  allowed  that  soldiering 
in  here  was  hard  work,  and  gave  up  his  command, 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  "251 

and  went  to  kicking  football.  It  was  a  great  day  to 
me.  I  felt  as  though  the  heavens  were  opened,  and 
all  free.  I  shall  never  forget  this  Fourth,  if  I  live  to 
be  an  old  man.  It  made  such  an  impression  on  me 
that  my  heart  and  all  my  body  felt  as  light  as  a 
feather." 

"  If  we  were  in  State  Prison,  we  had  a  merry  and 
a  happy  time  yesterday,  and  I  think  we  enjoyed  our- 
selves better  than  if  we  had  been  on  Boston  Common. 
We  had  a  band  of  music  to  play  for  us,  and  football 
and  other  amusements  were  provided.  We  were 
treated  like  gentlemen." 

"  We  had  a  first-rate  time  yesterday.  The  warden 
was  kind  enough  to  let  us  do  as  we  pleased  for  an 
hour  or  more  in  the  yard.  We  had  music,  and 
dancing,  and  football,  and  a  foot-race,  and  the  Boston 
Herald  to  read,  and  I  had  a  talk  with  all  the  boys." 

"All  the  prisoners  had  the  privilege  of  a  free 
hour  in  the  yard  on  the  Fourth.  We  were  allowed 
to  talk,  kick  football,  and  enjoy  ourselves  as  much 
as  we  could.  We  had  a  band  of  music,  too,  and, 
when  our  time  was  up,  it  was  remarked  by  officers 
and  men  how  well  we  had  all  behaved.  It  was  the 
greatest  privilege  ever  given  since  I  have  been  here." 

"  We  had  a  fine  time  here  yesterday  by  the  kind 
permission  of  the  warden.  We  had  games,  and  a 
band  of  music  ;  and  when  we  got  through,  we  marched 
to  the  prison,  and  got  our  dinner.  Boiled  halibut, 


253  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

with  gravy,  and  spinage,  and  plum-pudding,  and 
other  good  things  —  more  than  we  could  eat.  I  tell 
you  we  had  a  high  time ! " 

One  prisoner  addressed  Rev.  Mr.  Greenwood  in  a 
"  poem  "  of  twenty-eight  stanzas.  A  few  are  quoted 
as  a  specimen  :  — 

"  Well,  I've  had  a  glad  time,  and  to  me  it  appears 
My  happiest  hour  for  more  than  four  years ; 
Our  warden  caused  this,  — to  his  praise  be  it  said,  — 
He's  regarded  the  promptings  of  a  sound  heart  and  head. 

"  It's  a  saying  quite  homely,  but  true,  in  the  main, 

1  There's  no  great  loss  here  without  some  small  gain ; ' 
The  words  loss  and  gain  we'll  transpose  for  to-day, 
For  we  lost  our  oration,  but  gained  a  grand  play. 

"  Such  a  time  as  we've  had  !  such  a  shaking  of  hands ! 
Such  a  freedom  from  all  domineering  commands ! 
Such  a  mingling  of  friends,  so  long  kept  apart, 
Was  cheering  to  each  :  —  it  gladdened  my  heart. 

"  Not  one  ugly  word  was  heard  in  the  crowd ; 
No  fighting  nor  shouting  unseemingly  loud; 
But  in  the  actions  of  each  this  fact  might  be  traced  — 
There's  confidence  here  that's  not  been  misplaced. 

"  For  those  who  took  pleasure  in  the  news  of  the  day, 
Some  papers  were  posted  in  a  '  bulletin  '  way ; 
A  few  women  (dear  souls)  could  see  and  be  seen, 
And  a  {  brass  band '  by  boys  played  out  on  the  green. 

"  A  football  was  there,  and  'twas  kicked  for  a  while ; 
Some  marched  round  the  yard,  eight  deep  in  a  file; 
The  dancers  attention  to  an  old  fiddle  lent, 
But  on  personal  matters  the  most  seemed  intent. 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  253 

"This  sport  was  soon  over;  and,  as  we  marched  in> 
'  Sweet  Home'  was  struck  up  by  the  band  on  the  green; 
But  reflections  on  this  were  soon  banished  complete 
By  the  sight  of  the  prisoner's  holiday  treat. 

"  Plum-pudding  and  halibut,  lettuce  and  greens, 
And  a  nondescript  drink,  perhaps  used  by  queens, 
Was  the  substance  of  what,  as  I've  said,  met  our  eye ; 
But  —  my  paper's  all  used,  and  I  bid  you  *  good  by.'  " 

Are  not  such  extracts  enough  to  prove  the  Wisdom 
of  the  plan  inaugurated? 

One  of  the  most  perplexing  matters  the  authorities 
of  the  prison  have  to  contend  with  is  the  inequality 
of  sentences.  Each  of  our  judges  seems  to  have  a 
standard  of  his  own  by  which  he  is  guided ;  and 
a  great  diversity  of  opinion  exists  among  them  upon 
this  subject.  Of  course  it  is  impossible  so  to  regulate 
sentences  that  equal  and  exact  justice  shall  be  admin- 
istered in  each  individual  case,  as  crimes  of  the  same 
class  vary  so  much  in  the  aggravating  circumstances 
attending  them.  I  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as 
favoring  either  of  the  extremes,  but  simply  to  point 
out  the  fact,  and  the  influence  it  has  upon  the  disci- 
pline of  the  prison. 

To  illustrate  this  point,  I  refer  to  the  sentences  for 
passing  counterfeit  money  ;  the  aggravation  in  such 
cases  being  only  in  the  amount  passed,  or  in  the  repu- 
tation of  the  one  passing  it. 

Of  those  in  the  prison  at  this  time  (1868)  for  pass- 
ing one  counterfeit  bill,  their  sentences  vary  from  one 
to  five  years ;  for  passing  two  bills,  from  two  to  ten 
years.  There  is  one  man,  now  in  prison,  who  pleaded 
guilty  to  passing  three  counterfeit  five-dollar  bills,  who 


254  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

was  sentenced  to  fifteen  years ;  another,  who  pleaded 
guilty  to  passing  four  twenty-dollar  bills,  who  was 
sentenced  to  but  four  years  ;  one  man,  for  having  in 
his  possession  ten  counterfeit  bank  bills,  was  sentenced 
to  one  year ;  another,  for  the  same  offence,  to  twelve 
years.  These  men  may  work  near  each  other,  and, 
of  course,  learn  the  facts ;  and  it  can  be  easily  ima- 
gined that  great  dissatisfaction  would  be  engendered, 
and  tlfe  discipline  of  the  prison  suffer  in  consequence. 
No  logic  can  convince  a  man  that  justice  requires  him 
to  endure  fifteen  years'  imprisonment  for  passing 
fifteen  dollars  in  bad  money,  when  his  neighbor 
serves  but  four  years  for  passing  eighty  dollars,  ev- 
erything else  being  equal.  Scarcely  a  week  passes 
that  the  authorities  are  not  appealed  to  in  regard  to 
such  cases.  It  is  in  vain  for  us  to  say  that  we  are  not 
responsible  for  it.  Many  of  these  men  are  friendless, 
and  naturally  look  to  the  warden  for  advice  and  as- 
sistance. 

Again  :  there  are  cases  where  it  would  seem  as  if 
the  prosecuting  officer  was  desirous  of  making  the 
most  out  of  the  criminals  by  cutting  up  and  dividing 
a  crime  into  several  parts,  and  trying  the  party  upon 
each  one  of  them  separately.  As  an  instance  of  this 
kind,  a  young  man  was  arrested  for  manufacturing 
counterfeit  money :  he  pleaded  guilty,  and  was  sen- 
tenced to  this  prison  for  five  years.  He  was  then 
arraigned  for  having  the  dies  and  implements  for 
counterfeiting  bank  bills  in  his  possession,  to  which 
he  pleaded  guilty,  and  received  an  additional  sentence 
of  five  years.  He  was  next  charged  with  having  coun- 
terfeit bank  bills  in  his  possession,  and  again  pleaded 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  255 

guilty,  and  was  sentenced  for  another  five  years, 
making  fifteen  years  in  all.  Another  bill  for  passing 
the  money  had  been  found  against  him,  but  this  was 
not  pressed,  the  officers  thinking,  perhaps,  that  about 
all  that  justice  required  had  been  made  out  of  the 
case. 

Another  important  question  connected  with  prison 
discipline  is  that  of  pardons.  The  writer's  views 
upon  this  subject  have  been  frequently  recorded,  and 
he  feels  it  his  duty  here  to  enter  his  solemn  protest 
against  this  custom,  which  has  become  so  firmly 
established ;  and  in  doing  so,  he  wishes  it  clearly 
understood  that  no  disrespect  is  intended  towards  the 
present  or  any  past  administration.  The  pressure 
which  is  often  brought  to  bear  upon  the  authorities, 
from  influential  parties,  —  fathers,  mothers,  wives,  and 
children,  —  is  very  great,  and  the  sophistry,  chicanery, 
and  trickery,  which  are  so  often  resorted  to,  to  create 
sympathy,  and  leave  a  false  impression,  and  the  diffi- 
culty of  saying  "  No,"  especially  when  so  many  cases 
can  be  referred  to  as  precedents,  —  all  add  to  the  diffi- 
culties attending  the  subject.  It  is  the  bane  of  good 
government  in  a  prison.  Demoralization,  to  a  greater 
or  less  extent,  is  the  inevitable  result ;  and  the  evil  to* 
the  community,  arising  from  this  practice,  is  incalcu- 
lable. The  facilities  for  obtaining  pardons  in  our 
state  are  so  great,  although  they  are  less  than  in 
many  other  states,  that  it  has  become  the  all-engrossing 
thought  of  the  convicts ;  the  probability  and  expecta- 
tion are  frequently  discussed  on  their  way  to  the  prison  ; 
it  is  the  theme  of  nine  tenths  of  the  letters  written, 
and  the  personal  interviews  with  their  friends ;  il 
preys  upon  the  prisoners  day  and  night. 


256  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

u  Hope  deferred  maketh  the  heart  sick."  A  more 
truthful  illustration  of  the  proverb  cannot  be  found 
than  in  the  situation  of  a  prisoner  whose  case  is  before 
the  executive  for  consideration.  It  frequently  unfits 
him  for  everything,  destroying  the  appetite,  and 
rendering  him  unable  to  sleep  or  labor ;  and  when 
unsuccessful,  serious  consequences  have  often  been 
the  result. 

One  great  objection  to  the  use  of  the  pardoning 
power  is  the  liability  of  making  mistakes.  The 
chances  of  success,  whether  meritorious  or  not,  of  the 
few  who  can  command  money  and  influential  friends, 
are  certainly  better  than-  with  the  large  majority  of 
prisoners,  who  are  entirely  destitute  of  these  advan- 
tages. That  A  or  B  may  be  pardoned  is  of  little 
consequence  to  the  outside  world,  but  its  effect  is  quite 
another  thing  here,  especially  if  the  change,  as  is 
often  the  case,  is  to  leave  behind  them  C  and  D,  who 
have  served  longer  for  a  less  offence  than  theirs.  The 
effect  upon  the  discipline  cannot  be  otherwise  than 
deleterious ;  and  the  convicts  get  the  impression  that 
the  authorities  of  the  prison  have  more  or  less  to- 
do  with  every  pardon ;  at  least,  that  their  assent  or 
approval  is  necessary. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that,  just  in  proportion  as 
expectations  of  release  are  removed,  is  the  prisoner's 
happiness  advanced.  Consequently,  the  less  the  num- 
ber of  pardons,  the  greater  always  is  the  contentment, 
and  the  better  are  the  hopes  of  good  order,  cheerful 
submission,  and  of  moral,  mental,  and  religious  im- 
provement. The  most  salutary  ingredient  of  punish- 
ment is  its  certainty.  The  consequences  of  committing 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE. 


257 


crime  should  be  fully  understood.  Nothing  should  be 
left  to  chance.  If  convicted,  the  criminal  should  be 
made  to  feel  that  the  sentence  will  assuredly  be  carried 
into  effect.  It  is  not  the  penalty  that  deters  men  from 
committing  crime.  It  is  the  chances  of  conviction, 
and  the  certainty,  if  convicted,  that  the  sentence  will 
be  executed.  And  just  in  proportion  as  this  is  made 
more  or  less  certain  will  crime  exist  in  a  community. 

It  would  not  be  advisable  to  shut  out  hope  even 
from  the  greatest  criminal ;  yet  the  obtaining  a  pardon 
should  be  made  so  difficult  and  uncertain  that  the 
chances  of  success  would  not  be  considered  when  a 
man  is  contemplating  crime. 

Long  or  extraordinary  sentences  need  seldom  be 
feared  ;  but,  as  far  as  practicable,  sentences  should  be 
consistent  and  uniform,  with  the  understanding  that, 
with  the  exception  of  what  time  may  be  gained  by  good 
behavior,  the  full  term  is  to  be  served.  Let  this  theory 
be  established,  and  a  blessing  will  be  conferred  upon 
the  convict,  by  relieving  his  mind  from  the  terrible 
suspense  and  anxiety  he  is  now  subjected  to,  and  an 
important  step  will  be  taken  towards  the  suppression 
of  crime. 

Another  cause  for  the  existence  and  development 
of  crime  in  our  community  is  in  the  ease  and  facility 
with  which  stolen  property  of  every  description  can 
be  disposed  of.  Many  of  our  prisoners  commence 
their  criminal  career  by  taking  small  articles,  easily 
converted  into  cash  at  the  pawnbrokers'  and  old  junk- 
shops.  Scores  of  young  men  have  told  me  that  they 
could  trace  their  fall  directly  to  the  allurements  and 
encouragements  held  out  to  them  to  steal  by  a  some- 


258  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

what  celebrated  broker,  whose  office  was  on  Sudbury 
Street,  in  Boston,  and  who,  a  few  years  since,  "  left 
his  country  for  his  country's  good."  These  nurseries 
of  crime  exist  at  the  present  time ;  the  city  is  full  of 
them  ;  and,  if  in  any  way  they  could  be  suppressed, 
or  controlled  so  as  to  prevent  the  evils  now  attending 
them,  a  great  and  important  step  would  be  taken 
towards  the  prevention  of  crime  among  the  youth 
growing  up  in  our  midst. 

"  Do  away  with  the  receiver,  and  the  thief  s  occu- 
pation is  gone,"  is  the  unanimous  testimony  of  those 
who  get  into  prison.  But  few  would  steal  if  unable 
to  turn  their  plunder  into  cash  ;  and  just  in  proportion 
as  that  can  be  rendered  difficult  will  the  motive  for 
committing  crime  be  removed. 

The  first  step  towards  eradicating  this  evil  would 
be  to  apply  the  law  to  the  receiver  with  the  same 
promptness  as  to  the  thief,  and  not  allow  him,  as  is 
done  nine  times  out  of  ten,  to  continue  his  case,  from 
term  to  term,  until  it  is  forgotten  by  the  community, 
and  finally  settled  for  a  small  sum  of  money.  During 
the  ten  and  a  half  years  that  I  have  been  connected 
with  this  prison,  not  one  of  the  numerous  aristocratic 
receivers,  who  have  at  various  times  been  arrested, 
have  been  sentenced  here.  The  law  has  been,  it  would 
seem,  sufficiently  vindicated  by  occasionally  sentencing 
to  the  State  Prison  some  poor  fellow,  who,  without 
friends  or  money  to  assist  him,  had  been  convicted  of 
a  petty  violation  of  the  law. 

How  shall  the  necessary  discipline  in  a  prison  be 
enforced?  is  a  question  often  asked*  A  perfect  and 
satisfactory  method  is  still  a  desideratum.  Various 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  259 

kinds  of  punishments  are  resorted  to  in  the  differ- 
ent states  to  accomplish  the  end,  but  all  are  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent  objectionable.  The  theory  of 
rewards  is  not  as  yet  sufficiently  recognized  to  make 
them  effective. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  punishments  now  in 
use  in  some  prisons :  — 

Maine.  —  The  dark  cell  and  lash. 

New  Hampshire.  —  The  same. 

Vermont.  —  Dark  cell,  iron  jacket,  and  lash. 

Rhode  Island.  —  The  dark  cell. 

Connecticut.  —  Dark  cell  and  lash. 

New  York.  —  Dark  cell,  shower-bath,  shaving  the 
head,  iron  cap,  bucking,  and  yoke,  or  crucifix. 

In  Massachusetts  the  dark  cell  has  been  the  only 
punishment  for  the  last  eleven  years.  This  in  all  cases 
has  been  found  sufficient,  and  is,  doubtless,  the  least  ob- 
jectionable of  any  system  now  in  use.  I  disapprove  of 
it,  however,  for  the  following  reasons :  First,  that,  in 
darkening  the  cell,  air  must  necessarily  be  excluded,  and 
needful  ventilation  prevented.  The  constitution  of  the 
convict,  who  is  frequently,  or  for  any  length  of  time, 
subjected  to  this  discipline,  must  unavoidably  become 
impaired.  Secondly,  the  labor  for  the  time  he  is  shut 
up  is  lost  to  the  state. 

To  find  a  substitute  that  will  prove  effective,  and 
free  from  the  above  objections,  is  certainly  very  desira- 
ble. Experience  and  observation  show  conclusively 
that  a  system  of  marks  can  be  introduced,  which  will, 
in  a  great  measure,  supersede  all  other  punishments. 

Starting  with  the  principle  that,  next  to  the  pro- 
tection of  society,  the  reformation  of  the  criminal  is 


26O  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  grand  object  in  view,  and  that  kindness  and 
rewards  are  the  agencies  to  be  employed,  I  would 
suggest,  for  good  conduct  and  industry,  that  the  con- 
vict should  be  entitled  to  one  good  mark  a  month,  for 
which  should  be  deducted  one  clay  for  every  year  of 
his  sentence,  not  to  exceed  ten  a  month.  For  every 
bad  mark,  the  same  number  of  days  to  be  added 
to  his  sentence ;  this  instead  of  the  time  now  passed  in 
the  dark  cell.  For  every  month  when  neither  good  nor 
bad  marks  were  received,  nothing  should  be  gained  or 
lost.  The  warden  should  have  authority  to  bestow 
additional  good  marks  on  Christmas,  and  other  occa- 
sions, for  meritorious  conduct.  No  pardons  should 
be  granted  except  upon  the  recommendation  of  the 
authorities  of  the  prison,  and  should  be  subject  to 
revocation  by  the  governor  and  council  at  any  time 
before  the  original  sentence  would  expire.  If  par- 
doned and  reconvicted,  to  serve  the  unexpired  term  of 
the  first  sentence  ;  and  if  regularly  discharged  and 
reconvicted,  the  time  gained  on  their  first  sentence 
should  be  added  to  the  second. 

The  principal  objection  to  the  above  plan,  I  can 
readily  perceive,  would  be,  that  it  places  too  great 
power  in  the  authorities  of  the  prison.  But  is  it  not 
as  safe  to  intrust  one  man  with  power  as  another,  if 
the  party  can  be  selected  and  held  responsible?  Can- 
not a  man  be  found  who  may  be  trusted  with  these,  as 
well  as  a  judge  who  is  intrusted  with  still  greater 
powers?  In  Massachusetts,  a  judge  can,  in  some 
cases,  impose  a  fine,  a  sentence  of  a  few  months  in 
jail,  or  life  in  the  State  Prison  for  the  same  offence,  at 
his  pleasure  ;  and  yet  it  is  never  intimated  that  his 
authority  is  too  great,  or  that  it  is  ever  abused. 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  26l 

Again  :  it  would  only  be  extending  the  powers  many 
wardens  now  possess,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  in 
our  commutation  laws.  The  Massachusetts  law  is 
as  follows :  — 

"  The  warden  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  conduct  of 
each  convict ;  and  for  each  month  that  a  convict 
appears  by  such  record  to  have  faithfully  observed  al- 
ine rules  and  requirements  of  the  prison,  and  not  to 
have  been  subjected  to  punishment,  there  shall,  with 
the  consent  of  the  governor  and  council,  be  deducted 
from  the  term  or  terms  of  his  sentence  as  follows : 
From  a  term  of  less  than  three  years,  one  day  ;  from  a 
term  of  three  and  less  than  seven  years,  two  days ; 
from  a  term  of  seven  and  less  than  ten  years,  four 
days ;  from  a  term  of  ten  years  and  upwards,  five 
days." 

To  illustrate  the  working  of  this  law,  it  will  be 
noted,  that  for  a  term  of  ten  years,  a  convict,  if  he 
observes  all  the  rules  of  the  prison,  and  is  not  pun- 
ished, may  be  allowed  six  hundred  days ;  thus  re- 
ducing his  sentence  to  about  eight  years  and  four 
months.  We  start,  then,  with  the  understanding  that 
his  sentence  is  really  but  eight  years  and  four  months, 
and  the  practice  has  been  to  add  a  day  to  this  term  for 
every  day  he  is  shut  up  for  punishment.  This  is  care- 
fully explained  to  the  convict  upon  his  admission  to 
the  prison,  and  he  therefore  understands  that  every 
day's  punishment  in  fact  adds  one  to  his  sentence. 
The  extent  of  his  punishment  depends  upon  himself; 
he  has  only  to  express  a  wish  to  go  to  work,  and 
promise  to  obey  the  rules,  to  be  released;  nothing 
humiliating  is  ever  required  of  him.  It  will  be  ob- 


262  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

served,  that  the  warden  has  the  power  now  of  con- 
trolling one  year  and  eight  months  of  the  time  of  every 
man  sentenced  to  ten,  and  three  years  and  four  months 
of  every  one  sentenced  to  twenty  years  in  this  prison. 
No  new  power  would  be  conferred  upon  him  by  the 
plan  suggested  ;  it  would  only  be  extending  a  princi- 
ple admitted  by  every  one  familiar  with  its  workings 
to  have  proved  eminently  successful  in  prison  disci- 
pline. But  some  object  to  all  commutation  laws.  They 
think  the  principle  wrong ;  that  no  promises  of 
rewards,  or  mitigation  of  their  condition,  should  be 
made  or  held  out  to  these  men ;  that  they  should  be 
compelled,  and  not  hired,  to  behave  well.  But  is  it 
inconsistent  with  divine  teaching?  Are  not  the 
Scriptures  filled  with  promises  of  reward  to  those  who 
repent  and  keep  God's  laws?  It  ill  becomes  us  to 
criticise  or  raise  our  voices  against  principles  enun- 
ciated from  on  high  ;  it  is  too  much  like  thanking  God 
that  we  are  not  like  other  men.  We  are  all  sinners 
before  God,  and  it  does  not  necessarily  follow,  because 
men  are  found  inside  of  prison  walls,  that  they  are  the 
only  or  the  greatest  sinners,  or  that  they  are  to  be 
excluded  altogether,  or  reach  heaven  by  some  other 
way  or  means  than  those  taken  by  the  outside  world? 
Ten  and  a  half  years  of  observation  and  intercourse 
with  these  men  have  had  a  tendency  to  convince  me 
that  they  are  very  like  people  outside,  subject  to  the 
same  feelings  and  desires,  influenced  and  actuated  by 
the  same  motives,  and  to  be  governed  by  the  same 
principles  ;  and  if  saved  at  last,  it  must  be  by  the  same 
Saviour  upon  whom  all  should  rely. 

Above  all,  the  convict  should  be  surrounded,  in  all 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  263 

cases,  with  every  good  influence  possible,  such  as 
religious  and  secular  instruction,  and  lectures,  holi- 
days, and  privileges  of  various  kinds,  to  be  earned  by 
good  conduct.  Great  care  should  be  taken  that  none 
but  gentlemanly,  humane,  and  reliable  persons  should 
be  allowed  to  come  in  contact  with  them  as  officers  or 
instructors,  for  as  much  depends  upon  their  influence 
as  on  all  the  other  agencies  united. 

The  idea  that  it  is  of  little  consequence  who  has 
charge  of  these  men,  providing  they  are  sufficiently 
muscular  and  athletic  to  cause  them  to  be  feared, 
is  a  great  mistake:  these  accomplishments  are  very 
desirable,  but  of  secondary  consideration :  it  is  brains, 
not  muscle,  that  is  required.  They  are  not  governed 
by  fear,  or  force,  but  by  the  intellect ;  they  are  quick 
to  discover  and  take  advantage  of  the  slightest  failing 
of  an  officer.  It  is  therefore  absolutely  necessary  that 
he  should  be  a  true  and  reliable  man,  capable  of  con- 
trolling his  temper  and  governing  himself  under  all 
circumstances,  discharging  his  duties  firmly,  faithfully, 
and  unostentatiously,  avoiding  the  slightest  familiarity  ; 
by  so  doing  he  can  mould  them  into  any  shape  he 
pleases.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  he  is  irritable,  vacil- 
lating, open  to  temptation,  or  in  any  way  unreliable, 
he  will  certainly  fail,  and  confusion  and  disorder  reign 
wherever  he  has  a  nominal  control. 

An  officer  should  be  above  suspicion  ;  and  at  no  time, 
more  especially  when  on  duty,  should  his  breath  be 
tainted  with  that  scourge  of  our  race,  alcohol,  which 
has  been  instrumental  in  consigning  to  this  prison, 
either  directly  or  indirectly,  at  least  eight  tenths  of  its 
inmates ;  for  from  that  moment  he  becomes  to  the 


264  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

convict  an  object  of  contempt,  and  utterly  without  in- 
fluence for  good ;  one  who  may  be  feared  and  obeyed, 
but  not  respected. 

Again :  he  should  be  a  man  in  whose  integrity  the 
authorities  have  implicit  confidence  ;  for  through  him 
are  made  all  the  reports  for  misconduct,  and  to  err  or 
cause  a  prisoner  to  be  punished  undeservedly  would 
be  a  serious  wrong. 

I  have  no  doubt  that  at  least  eighty  per  cent,  of  all 
convicted  of  crime  may  be  reclaimed  and  made  useful 
members  of  society  by  proper  discipline.  It  cannot 
be  accomplished  by  rash  or  cruel  treatment,  or  any 
other  process  which  has  a  tendency  to  crush  out 
and  destroy  self-respect.  The  true  theory  is  to  fan 
into  a  blaze  the  smallest  spark  of  manhood  they 
may  bring  with  them  into  the  prison  ;  they  must  be 
assisted  and  encouraged  in  every  possible  way ;  an 
opportunity  should  be  afforded  them  to  work  out  their 
ownredemption  — to  do  something  for  themselves  ;  and 
this  can  be  done  only  in  some  way  similar  to  that  here 
suggested.  I  feel  assured  that  the  convict  who  follows 
such  a  course  for  a  series  of  years,  although  he  may 
commence  with  selfish  motives,  will  acquire,  almost 
imperceptibly,  habits  of  industry,  decision  of  character, 
and  a  control  over  himself  which  will  not  desert  him 
when  he  goes  back  to  mingle  with  the  world. 

What  is  the  Massachusetts  system  of  prison  disci- 
pline, and  how  does  it  differ  from  that  of  other  states, 
are  questions  often  asked  of  me  ;  and  I  have  thought  it 
might  not  be  uninteresting  to  give  the  following  brief 
description  of  it. 

Prisoners  sentenced  to  this  institution  are  brought 
from  the  different  jails  by  the  warden  or  one  of  his 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  265 

officers ;  the  actual  expenses  incurred  are  paid  from 
the  prison  funds ;  the  average  cost  for  the  last  ten 
years  has  been  about  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per 
man.  When  received  at  the  prison,  they  are  taken 
immediately  to  the  bath-room,  where  they  bathe,  are 
shaved,  and  have  their  hair  cut,  provided  with  a  new 
suit  of  clothes  made  of  blue  satinet,  stout  shoes,  two 
pairs  of  stockings,  two  shirts,  two  pairs  of  drawers, 
undershirts,  and  a  towel,  all  marked  with  their  names  ; 
then  taken  to  their  cell  to  remain  till  their  "  solitary  " 
has  expired  —  usually  one  day.  Before  being  placed 
at  work,  they  are  instructed  by  the  deputy  warden  in 
regard  to  the  rules ;  every  explanation  is  mildly,  care- 
fully, and  understandingly  made  to  them  ;  they  are 
then  taken  to  the  shop.  In  their  cell  they  will  find 
the  printed  rules,  an  iron  bedstead  which  turns  up  by 
the  side  of  the  wall,  a  palm-leaf  mattress  and  pillow 
with  cotton  sheets,  pillow-slip,  blankets,  and  spread, 
a  small  table  and  stool,  a  shelf,  Bible,  catalogue  of 
the  books  in  the  library,  a  bottle  of  vinegar,  pepper, 
salt,  knife  and  fork,  and  spoon.  And  this  is  to  be 
their  home  for  one  year,  or  life,  according  to  the  term 
of  their  sentence.  In  the  course  of  a  day  or  two,  the 
convict  is  sent  for  by  the  warden,  who  inquires  into 
his  past  history,  his  parents  and  family,  counselling 
and  advising  him  as  to  his  future  course,  encouraging 
and  assuring  him  of  good  and  kind  treatment  so  long 
as  he  shall  deserve  it  —  an  interview  that  rarely  ends 
without  bringing  the  tears  into  the  eyes  of  the  most 
hardened,  and  the  formation  of  resolutions  which  have 
a  strong  influence  upon  their  future  lives.  The  chap- 
lain also  takes  an  early  opportunity  to  converse  with 


266  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

them,  in  which  he  endeavors  to  impress  upon  their 
minds  the  same  ideas,  with  such  other  suggestions  as 
he  thinks  necessary. 

,In  the  workshops,  which  are  large,  pleasant,  and 
well-ventilated,  the  windows  filled  with  plants  and 
flowers,  which  they  are  permitted  to  cultivate,  he  is 
recehed  by  the  officer  in  charge  —  one  who  is  selected 
for  his  peculiar  fitness  for  the  responsible  situation  ; 
one  who  can  govern  himself,  kind-hearted,  straight- 
forward, mild  and  firm  in  his  intercourse  with  them, 
listening  patiently  to  all  their  real  or  imaginary  griev- 
ances, advising  and  encouraging  them.  Harsh  or 
irritating  language  is  not  permitted  under  any  cir- 
cumstances. Should  he  violate  any  of  the  rules,  he 
is  called  up  by  the  officer,  who  quietly  points  out  the 
error,  and  cautions  him  against  a  repetition  ;  if  it 
occurs,  he  is  left  out  of  his  cell  at  night  when  the 
others  are  locked  up,  and  his  case  is  reported  to  the 
deputy  warden  by  the  officer ;  an  opportunity  is  given 
him  to  make  any  explanation  or  excuse  he  may  have ; 
if  satisfactory,  he  is  allowed  to  go  to  his  room  ;  if  not, 
and  it  is  his  first  offence,  he  is  dismissed  with  a  repri- 
mand. For  the  second  offence,  he  is  placed  in  a  dark 
cell  (our  only  punishment  for  the  last  eleven  years), 
without  furniture,  save  a  board,  and  blanket,  and  the 
necessary  buckets.  Here  he  remains  until  he  asks  to 
come  out :  an  officer  is  always  within  hearing,  night 
and  day.  Nothing  humiliating  is  ever  required  of 
him  ;  a  simple  intimation  that  the  offence  shall  not  be 
repeated  is  all  that  is  necessary. 

Our  commutation  law  has  a  great  influence  upon 
our  discipline.  One  not  familiar  with  the  subject 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  267 

would  be  surprised  to  know  how  much  they  think  of 
one  day's  reduction,  even  in  a  long  sentence.  Very 
many  are  sent  to  this  and  other  prisons  for  crimes 
committed  in  a  momentary  passion :  an  uncontrolla- 
ble temper  has  been  the  ruin  of  thousands.  A  pris- 
oner, knowing  that  his  confinement  will  be  extended 
by  any  outbreak  of  the  kind,  will  strive  hard  to  curb 
it ;  although  he  may  find  it  difficult  at  first,  yet  he  is 
pretty  certain  to  succeed  in  the  end;  and  at  the  ex- 
piration of  every  month  he  has  an  additional  motive 
for  good  conduct,  as  all  that  he  has  gained  may  be 
jeopardized  by  yielding.  This  discipline,  continued 
through  a  series  of  years,  must  have  a  good  effect 
upon  the  man ;  he  gradually,  and  almost  impercep- 
tibly, acquires  perfect  control  over  himself —  a  habit 
that  will  not  desert  him  when  he  goes  forth  into  the 
world  again. 

In  summer  the  prisoners  leave  their  cells  at  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning  for  the  workshops,  where  they 
wash,  &c.,  work  till  half  past  six,  and  then  return  to 
their  rooms  for  breakfast.  Thirty-five  minutes  are  al- 
lowed for  this  purpose  ;  they  then  repair  to  the  chapel. 
The  daily  service  consists  of  reading  the  Scripture,  with 
occasionally  some  suitable  remarks  from  the  chaplain, 
prayer,  and  singing  by  the  choir,  composed  of  con- 
victs. Returning  to  the  workshops,  they  remain  till 
twelve  o'clock  ;  an  hour  is  allowed  them  for  dinner, 
which,  like  their  breakfast,  is  eaten  in  their  rooms. 
At  six  P.  M.  their  work  is  finished  for  the  day.  They 
are  shaved  twice  a  week,  hair  cut  once  a  quarter,  bathe 
once  a  week  in  summer, —  those  who  prefer  it,  in  the 
salt  water,  in  a  large  tank  or  basin  capable  of  accom- 


268  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

modating  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  at  one  time,  into 
which  the  tide  flows.  At  these  times  all  restraint  is 
thrown  off,  and  for  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  they  are 
allowed  to  enjoy  themselves  by  diving,  swimming, 
and  such  games  and  gambols  as  suit  their  taste.  Oh 
Sunday  they  leave  their  cells  at  seven  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  going  to  the  workshops  to  wash  themselves  ; 
returning,  take  their  breakfast,  and  are  locked  up  till 
ten  o'clock :  at  that  hour  our  Sabbath  school  com- 
mences ;  we  have  usually  from  seventy  to  ninety  in 
attendance.  As  we  are  not  able  to  accommodate  all, 
preference  is  more  particularly  given  to  those  who  are 
unable  to  read,  who  are  taught.  At  eleven,  services 
are  held  in  the  chapel,  closing  at  twelve.  They  then 
take  their  dinner  and  supper  with  them,  and  are  locked 
up  for  the  remainder  of  the  day.  On  holidays  we 
have  services  in  the  chapel,  extra  rations,  and  an  hour 
of  unrestricted  intercourse  together  in  the  yard ;  at 
such  times  they  engage  in  dancing,  singing,  football, 
and  such  other  games  as  suit  their  fancy. 

Newspapers  are  not  allowed,  except  such  religious 
ones  as  the  chaplain  chooses  to  distribute  among  them  ; 
but  the  monthly  publications  are.  They  can  change 
their  library  books  three  times  a  week.  The  prison 
is  lighted,  so  that  they  can  see  to  read  till  eight  o'clock 
in  winter ;  at  nine  all  retire.  It  is  perfectly  ventilat- 
ed, and  comfortably  warmed  in  the  coldest  weather. 
That  our  sanitary  regulations  are  complete,  can  be 
inferred  from  the  fact  that  we  have  not  had  a  case  of 
fever  for  thirteen  years. 

Tasks  and  overwork  are  prohibited  by  law;  yet 
very  few  are  discharged,  who  have  been  faithful,  that 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  269 

do  not  receive  from  their  employers  from  five  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars ;  and  many  a  one  has  been 
made  happy  by  the  knowledge  that  his  industry  was 
indirectly  providing  for  his  destitute  family  outside. 

When  a  prisoner's  time  expires,  he  is  provided  with 
a  good  suit  of  clothes  throughout,  and  from  three  to 
five  dollars ;  he  is  then  taken  in  ch  arge,  if  he  desires 
it,  by  the  state  agent  for  discharged  convicts,  —  who 
has  previously  visited  him  to  ascertain  his  wishes,  — 
sent  to  his  friends,  or  provided  with  a  home  till  a  situ- 
ation is  obtained  for  him,  tools  furnished  him  to  com- 
mence work,  and  every  effort  made  to  give  him  a  good 
start.  At  any  time  after,  should  he  be  out  of  employ- 
ment, or  his  family  in  want,  he  has  only  to  apply  to 
the  agent  to  obtain  the  necessary  assistance.  This 
agency  I  think  one  of  the  most  important  of  our  state 
charities. 

To  receive  these  outcasts  with  kindness ;  fan  into 
a  flame,  if  possible,  the  slightest  spark  of  humanity 
remaining  with  them  ;  advise,  encourage,  and  improve 
them,  mentally  and  physically  ;  give  all  a  good  trade ; 
satisfy  them  that  it  is  for  their  interest^  if  nothing 
more,  to  behave  well ;  strive  in  every  way  possible  to 
elevate  and  restore  them  as  useful  members  of  society 
again,  —  is  the  Massachusetts  system  of  to-day.  Its  suc- 
cess has  exceeded  the  anticipations  of  its  most  ardent 
supporters,  and  such  as  those  not  familiar  with  the 
facts  would  hardly  credit. 

This  system  is  by  no  means  perfect:  much  is  yet 
to  be  done,  not  only  by  the  state,  but  by  individuals, 
before  that  time  will  arrive.  The  state,  through  the 
legislature,  can  do  but  little  towards  inaugurating  new 


MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

ideas  or  improvements  :  it  requires  patience  and  inves- 
tigation, and  must  be  done  by  those  willing  to  devote 
their  time  to  examining  and  studying  the  subject ; 
neither  can  it  be  accomplished  all  at  once :  'it  must  be 
step  by  step,  little  by  little,  like  the  growth  of  a  child. 
The  philanthropist  must  be  satisfied  with  small  gains, 
for  the  prejudices  he  has  to  encounter  are  deep-seated, 
and,  in  many  cases,  difficult  to  be  overcome. 

There  are  some  things  the  state  can  and  ought  to 
do :  Establish,  as  far  as  practicable,  uniformity  in 
sentences ;  subject  the  weak  and  the  strong,  the  rich 
and  the  poor,  to  the  same  penalty ;  simplify  the  laws, 
so  as  to  prevent  the  thousands  who  now  annually 
evade  law,  or,  by  the  aid  of  counsel,  slip  through  its 
meshes ;  restrict  the  pardoning  power ;  and,  above 
all,  suppress  the  universal  sale  of  ardent  spirits. 
With  these  done,  the  prisons  in  the  state  will  prove 
sufficient  for  the  next  half  century  ;  neglect  them,  and 
the  next  session  of  the  legislature  will  not  be  too  early 
to  take  the  preliminary  steps  towards  enlarging  the 
present  or  building  a  new  State  Prison. 

SOLITARY    CONFINEMENT    AS    A    PUNISHMENT. 

It  has  been  generally  thought  by  those  favoring  the 
abolition  of  the  lash,  shower-bath,  and  their  accom- 
paniments, that  solitary  confinement  might  do  very 
well  in  ordinary  cases,  but  would  prove  insufficient 
to  suppress  an  insurrection,  or  restore  order  where 
large  numbers  were  engaged.  Such  were  the  views 
entertained  by  the  prison  officials  at  their  meet- 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  271 

ing  held  in  Albany,  New  York,  the  past  summer, 
(1869.) 

Since  that  meeting  was  held,  we  have  had  an 
opportunity  of  testing  the  efficacy  of  solitary  confine- 
ment in  suppressing  a  revolt  of  the  most  determined 
kind. 

The  use  of  tobacco  in  the  prison  is  not  prohibited, 
but  none  is  furnished  by  the  state.  It  has  been  the 
practice  of  the  contractors  to  supply  those  who  worked 
for  them  with  a  certain  quantity  given  out  each  week. 
In  the  foundery  the  men  received  what  was  termed  a 
double  ration ;  this  double  quantity  was  suddenly 
stopped,  and  they  received  the  same  as  the  others. 

I  do  not  propose  here  to  discuss  the  propriety  of 
making  a  distinction  in  the  first  place,  or  the  impro- 
priety of  attempting  so  important  a  change  without 
first  consulting  the  authorities,  but  simply  to  relate 
the  circumstances  as  they  occurred. 

The  first  knowledge  I  had  of  the  affair  was  that 
about  forty  of  the  men  in  the  foundery  had  "  struck," 
refusing  to  work  till  they  got  their  tobacco.  On  re- 
pairing to  that  department,  I  found  them  quiet,  but 
apparently  determined  to  stand  by  the  resolution  they 
had  formed.  Among  them  were  some  of  the  most 
desperate  and  daring  men  in  the  prison.  I  endeavored 
to  dissuade  them  from  the  course  they  had  adopted, 
assuring  them  that  the  discipline  of  the  prison  would 
be  enforced  at  all  hazards.  They  listened  respect- 
fully to  what  I  said,  and,  in  reply,  stated  that  they  had 
no  feeling  against  the  authorities,  but  would  have  their 
usual  quantity  of  tobacco,  or  would  do  no  more  work, 
or  at  least  much  less  in  amount  than  they  had  been  in 


272  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  habit  of  doing.  They  knew  the  capacity  of  the 
prison  for  punishment ;  that  we  had  but  thirteen  soli- 
tary cells,  three  of  which  were  in  the  lower  arch  ;  the 
other  ten  it  would  be  impossible  for  us  to  use,  as  the 
occupants  could,  and  doubtless  would,  make  day  and 
night  hideous  with  their  noise,  and  we  were  powerless 
to  prevent  it. 

I  had  no  deputy  warden,  and  two  of  my  officers 
were  absent  on  furloughs ;  our  force  thus  reduced,  I 
saw  at  once  the  danger,  if  not  the  impossibility,  of  re- 
moving a  man  from  the  foundery  without  bringing  on 
a  conflict,  the  result  of  which  no  one  could  anticipate. 
The  "news  had  reached  the  other  shops;  the  men 
were  'getting  restless  and  uneasy  ;  the  impression  had 
got  abroad  that  all  were  to  be  deprived  of  their  to- 
bacco ;  the  excitement,  though  suppressed,  and  con- 
sequently the  more  dangerous,  was  deep  and  intense ; 
some  had  actually  prepared  weapons,  by  grinding 
down  and  sharpening  files  ;  the  slightest  indiscretion 
^wollld  have  fired  a  train  which  would  have  caused  not 
only  a  great  destruction  of  property,  but  a  fearful  sac- 
rifice of  life.  There  were  those  in  the  o'ther  shops 
who  stood  ready  to  join  them  ;  some  through  sym- 
pathy, and  others  for  the  excitement,  and  the  hope  that 
something  might  turn  up  to  favor  their  escape. 

A  plan  was  immediately  formed  and  quietly  carried 
dnto  execution.  It  was  to  dispose  of  them  in  detail. 
They  were,  accordingly,  suffered  to  remain  in  the 
foundery  till  dinner  time,  when  they  fell  into  the  ranks 
with  the  others,  and  marched  to  their  rooms,  taking 
their  dinner  with  them,  as  was  the  custom  here.  After 
.dinner  the  doors  of  all  but  nine  were  unlocked,  and 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  273 

the  inmates  permitted  to  return  to  the  foundery.  The 
nine  left  in  their  rooms  were  then  placed  in  the  cells 
in  the  lower  arch,  three  in  each.  In  the  upper  arch 
we  have  fourteen  cells  of  the  same  size,  used  for  the 
storing  of  odds  and  ends :  these  were  cleared  of  the 
rubbish  they  contained,  the  windows  closed  up,  and 
at  the  next  meal  time  we  were  prepared  for  nine  more. 
After  the  third  nine  had  been  disposed  of,  the  others 
returned  to  their  work,  convinced  that  our  resources 
for  punishment  were  greater  than  they  had  anticipated. 
At  the  end  of  two  days,  seven  of  those  shut  up  ex- 
pressed a  willingness  to  go  to  work ;  a  day  or  two 
later,  another  squad  yielded  ;  and  at  the  close  of  the 
week,  all  of  them  had  returned  to  their  work,  I  doubt 
not  wiser,  if  not  better  men,  admitting,  without  excep- 
tion, that  they  had  been  foolish,  and  satisfied  that  the 
authorities  had  the  facilities  to  crush  out  any  insubor- 
dination which  might  occur ;  and  we  more  strongly 
impressed  with  the  fact,  that  solitary  confinement, 
firmly  and  judiciously  enforced,  is  sufficient  in  itself  to 
maintain  the  discipline  in  any  prison. 

Weeks  and  months  have  gone  by ;  good  feeling 
exists  to  an  unusual  extent,  and  I  consider  the  disci- 
pline better  and  on  a  firmer  basis  than  at  any  period 
within  my  knowledge. 

EDUCATION. 

The  fundamental   object  of  all    imprisonment    for 
crime  is,  or  should  be,  to  restrain,  and,  if  possible,  re- 
form, the  offender.     The  punishment  he   must  suffer 
grows  out  of,  and  is  dependent,  to  a  great  extent,  upon, 
18 


274  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  methods  adopted  to  secure  the  same,  there  being 
almost  as  many  degrees  of  guilt  and  suffering  as  there 
are  inmates  in  a  prison  ;  and  although  all  may  be 
subjected  to  the  same  rules  and  regulations,  yet  the 
mental  anguish  and  suffering  of  one  person  may  be 
greater  in  one  week  than  another  in  a  year  or  life- 
time. Justice  can  only  be  dispensed  upon  general 
principles  ;  the  term  of  sentence  pronounced  by  the 
judge  has  but  little  to  do  with  the  real  punishment  in- 
flicted ;  it  is,  therefore,  of  the  utmost  importance  that 
the  means  adopted  to  enforce  obedience  to  the  rules, 
and  secure  proper  discipline,  should  not  be  of  such  a 
character  as  to  aggravate  imprisonment,  for  reforma- 
tion, under  such  circumstances,  would  be  out  of  the 
question. 

It  is  no  new  theory  I  advance,  and  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent may  be  but  a  repetition  of  ideas  already  expressed, 
to  say  that  there  are  two  ways  of  obtaining  the  end  in 
view  —  one  through  fear,  the  other  through  hope. 
The  fear  of  the  lash  or  shower-bath  may  deter  con- 
victs from  violating  the  rules  of  a  prison,  as  did  the 
gallows  men  from  stealing  a  century  ago  ;  and  yet  the 
remedy,  in  either  case,  is  infinitely  more  pernicious 
than  the  disease.  The  debasing  effects  of  the  lash  is 
not  confined  to  the  one  whipped  ;  the  executive  officer 
and  those  compelled  to  witness  the  exhibition,  are,  to 
a  certain  extent,  influenced  by  it. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  convict  can  be  inspired 
with  the  feeling  that  there  is  something  to  hope  for, 
then  is  obtained  all  that  is  desired,  through  means 
which  have  a  tendency  to  strengthen  the  obligations 
we  owe  alike  to  God  and  man.  This  can  only  be 


EDUCATION.  275 

accomplished  by  a  judicious  course  of  discipline,  and 
by  educating  him ;  the  latter  has  never  been  made  a 
special  department  in  this  institution,  for  the  reason 
that  no  money  has  been  expended  for  this  purpose, 
other  than  for  the  salary  of  the  chaplain,  organist,  the 
library,  and  for  school  books  and  stationary,  amount- 
ing, in  the  aggregate,  to  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety- 
nine  dollars  and  thirty-nine  cents  the  past  year 
(1869).  The  services  for  lectures  and  teaching  have 
all  been  gratuitous,  and,  although  we  have  received  no 
credit  for  "it,  yet  I  doubt  if  the  labor  performed  and 
the  amount  of  instruction  given  have  been  surpassed 
in  any  prison  in  the  country. 

Of  the  one  hundred  and  eighty-two  prisoners  received 
the  past  year,  only  thirteen,  or  seven  per  cent.,  were 
unable  to  read  and  write ;  our  necessities,  therefore, 
for  an  educational  department  are  not  so  great  as  in 
many  of  the  prisons  in  the  country,  where  this  class 
numbers  from  forty  to  fifty  per  cent. 

Notwithstanding  the  small  number  to  be  benefited, 
the  last  legislature,  with  the  liberality  which  has  ever 
characterized  our  state,  passed  the  following  act :  — 

u  The  warden  and  inspectors  of  the  State  Prison  are 
hereby  authorized  to  expend  from  the  appropriation 
made  for  the  support  of  said  prison  a  sum  not  ex- 
ceeding one  thousand  dollars  per  annum  in  furnishing 
suitable  instruction  in  reading,  writing,  and  such  other 
branches  of  education  as  they  may  deem  expedient,  to 
such  of  the  convicts  as  may  be  benefited  thereby,  and 
are  desirous  of  receiving  the  same." 

In  accordance  with  this  act,  a  school  has  been  es- 
tablished for  two  evenings  a  week,  and  is  now  attended 


276  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

by  upwards  of  sixty  of  the  inmates.  It  is  gratifying 
to  know  that  no  act  has  been  passed  for  years,  relating 
to  the  prison,  which  is  more  highly  appreciated  than 
this.  The  interest  manifested,  and  the  desire  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  privilege,  are  almost  universal. 

One  of  the  results  of  our  peculiar  discipline  is,  that 
our  labor  is  always  in  demand,  and  we  obtain  from 
fifty  to  one  hundred  per  cent  more  than  any  other 
prison  in  the  country.  The  net  profit  for  the  last 
three  years  has  been  as  follows :  — - 

Profit  in  1867,  .  .  .  $22,346  16 
"  "  1868,  .  .  .  27,646  49 
"  "  1869,  .  .  .  28,556  05 

Total  in  three  jears,      .         .         .        $78,548  70 

In  this  connection  I  am  led  to  inquire  if  some  plan 
cannot  be  adopted  whereby  these  men  may  become 
interested  in  the  profits  of  the  institution.  I  am  sat- 
isfied that,  if  a  percentage  of  the  gains  of  the  prison 
could  be  divided  among  the  inmates  as  a  reward  for 
industry  and  good  behavior,  upon  the  same  principle 
as  time  is  deducted  from  their  sentences  under  our 
commutation  law,  we  should  be  taking  an  important 
step  in  the  right  direction.  The  feeling  which,  to  a 
certain  extent,  now  exists  among  them,  that  the  state 
is  making  a  profit  out  of  their  labor,  would  be  dis- 
pelled, and  each  individual  would  be  interested  in  our 
prosperity.  It  would  have  a  tendency  to  inculcate 
industry,  patience,  and  perseverance  —  virtues  which 
would  exert  an  important  influence  upon  them  when 
discharged. 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE, 

CONTINUED. 

(277) 


CHAPTER  V. 

PRISON   DISCIPLINE  —  CONTINUED. 

THIS  whole  subject  of  prison  discipline  has  for  many 
years  been  closely  studied  by  the  author,  who  has, 
on  different  occasions,  been  called  upon  to  address 
those  who,  like  himself,  have  taken  the  topic  into 
•thorough  consideration.  Three  of  these  addresses  are 
incorporated  into  this  book  in  the  belief  that  they  con- 
tain views  which  it  will  be  well  for  the  public  to  con- 
sider carefully.  There  may  be  an  occasional  repeti- 
tion of  an  idea,  or  a  theory,  before  presented  ;  but  such 
instances-  will  be  of  slight  importance  in  comparison 
with  the  main  object  in  view.  These  addresses  are 
here  printed  in  the  exact  form  in  which  they  were  de- 
livered, as  the  author  would  scarcely  feel  justified  in 
altering  what  he  had  already  presented  in  so  public  a 
manner. 

The  following  address  was  delivered  at  a  meeting 
of  the  American  Social  Science  Association,  in  New 
Haven,  October  9,  1866  :  — 

PRISON  HOLIDAYS. 

Prison  discipline  is  a  subject  of  great  magnitude. 
The  best  method  of  treating  criminals  is  a  problem 

(279) 


28O  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  wisest  and  most  philanthropic,  in  this  and  other 
countries,  have  not  yet  been  able  to  solve. 

I  do  not  propose  to  discuss  the  various  theories,  but 
shall  confine  myself  to  the  general  principle  that  refor- 
mation is  the  primary  object  of  all  imprisonment  for 
crime ;  and  that  system,  and  those  measures  which 
produce  the  clearest  and  surest  results  in  this  respect, 
are  the  best. 

All  prisons  must  necessarily  contain  masses  of  of- 
fenders with  very  different  shades  and  distinctions  of 
guilt ;  and  we  must  either  make  imprisonment  as  bit- 
ter as  possible,  and  thus  involve  the  comparatively 
innocent  in  those  hardships  which  we  impose  upon 
crime  of  the  deepest  hue,  confounding  all  notions  of 
equity,  or  we  must  come  to  the  conclusion  that  impris- 
onment is  nothing  more  than  privation  of  liberty,  and 
enght,  therefore,  to  be  attended  with  as  little  of  what 
is  vexatious  and  hurtful  as  possible. 

A  convict,  whatever  may  be  his  crime,  has  certain 
rights,  among  which  are  good  treatment,  pure  air,  de- 
Dent  clothing  and  bedding,  wholesome  and  sufficient 
food.  They  are  few,  and  should  be  zealously  guarded. 
But,  besides  the  right  of  the  individual,  there  are  du- 
ties to  the  community  ;  and  one  of  the  most  important 
of  these  is,  that  you  should  not  send  forth  a  man  com- 
mitted to  your  charge  in  any  respects  a  worse,  less 
industrious  or  competent  man  than  when  he  entered 
your  walls.  Good  policy  requires  that,  if  possible, 
you  dismiss  him  improved. 

Punishments  are  intended  that  crime  may  be  pre- 
vented ;  and  crime  is  prevented  by  the  reformation  of 
the  criminal. 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  28 1 

The  theory  that  prisons  ought  to  be  not  merely 
places  of  restraint,  but  of  restraint  coupled  with  deep 
and  intense  misery,  and  that  so  much  evil  is  repaired 
by  so  much  misery  inflicted,  has  become  obsolete.  If 
misery  is  to  be  inflicted  at  all  in  prisons,  it  ought  surely 
to  be  in  some  proportion  to  the  crime  of  the  offender. 
Now,  this  is  utterly  impracticable ;  for  who  is  to  ap- 
portion this  variety  of  wretchedness?  The  judge,  who 
knows  nothing  of  the  interior  of  a  prison,  or  the  keep- 
er, who  knows  nothing  of  the  transactions  of  the 
court?  The  judge  can,  to  some  extent,  suit  the  pen- 
alty to  the  circumstances  or  aggravation  of  the  case. 
He  can  adjudge  to  one  offender  imprisonment  for  one 
day  ;  to  another,  a  term  of  years,  or  life  ;  and  the  pen- 
alty thus  pronounced  is  all  that  is  to  be  inflicted.  To 
embitter  his  confinement  by  circumstances  often  much 
worse  than  the  lo*ss  of  liberty  itself,  is  to  aggravate  and 
distort  the  law,  and  to  annex  severities  not  awarded  in 
the  sentence. 

Blackstone  says,  "  The  law  will  not  justify  jailers  in 
fettering  a  prisoner,  unless  when  he  is  unruly,  or  has 
attempted  an  escape." 

Bracton  goes  so  far  as  to  intimate  that  a  sentence 
condemning  a  man  to  be  confined  in  irons  is  illegal ; 
and  Lord  Chief  Justice  King  replied  to  those  who 
urged  that  irons  were  necessary  for  safe  custody,  that 
u  they  might  build  their  walls  higher."  And  this  an- 
swer will  apply  to  many  other  practices  to  be  found  in 
almost  all  prisons  at  the  present  time,  viz.,  cutting  the 
hair  in  a. peculiar  way,  or  shaving  the  head;  the 
party-colored  dress,  and  the  prohibition  of  all  social 
intercourse  with  each  other  under  any  circumstances. 


282  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

These  and  other  methods  are  adopted,  not  because  they 
will  have  a  tendency  to  improve  or  reform  the  prison- 
er, but  in  order  to  prevent  his  escape,  or  more  readily 
detect  him  should  he  escape.  My  experience  is,  that 
in  a  properly  walled  and  well-guarded  prison,  not  one 
convict  in  a  hundred  would  ever  dream  of  an  escape, 
much  less  attempt  to  carry  it  into  execution ;  and  yet 
the  other  ninety  and  nine  must  be  degraded  in 'their 
own  estimation,  the  little  manhood  they  may  bring 
with  them  into  prison  crushed  out,  deprived  of  privi- 
leges absolutely  necessary  for  the  preservation  of 
health  both  in  body  and  mind,  suffer  penalties  not  in- 
cluded in  their  sentence,  exposed  to  temptation  many 
find  it  difficult  to  resist,  reformation  ignored,  and  proper 
discipline  rendered  impossible,  in  order  to  save  to  the 
state  the  expense  of  guards,  or  a  few  feet  in  the  height 
of  their  walls.  In  the  Massachusetts  State  Prison 
these  practices  have  all  been  abolished,  and  with  the 
best  results.  There  is  now  no  peculiarity  in  the  hair- 
cutting  or  shaving,  save  that  the  face  is  shaved  clean  ; 
the  party-colored  dress  is  abolished,  and  occasionally 
they  are  permitted  to  have  an  hour  or  two  of  unre- 
stricted intercourse  together  in  the  prison  yard.  On 
these  occasions,  all  restraint  is  thrown  off,  and  they 
are  at  liberty  to  engage  in  conversation,  or  such  games 
and  exercises  as  they  please  ;  and  this  brings  me  to 
the  subject  I  propose  to  discuss,  viz.,  "  Prison  Holi- 
days, and  their  Influence  upon  Prison  Discipline." 

In  the  first  place,  what  is  the  nature  of  the  punish- 
ment a  convict  must  undergo  in  serving  a  sentence  in 
one  of  our  state  prisons?  Very  few  in  the  community 
have  any  distinct  idea  or  knowledge  upon  the  subject, 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE,  283 

save  the  general  one  that  they  are  shut  out  from  the 
world,  and  compelled  to  labor  for  a  term  of  years, 
with  the  impression  that  it  is  not,  in  any  sense,  severe, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  rather  desirable,  if  not  to  be 
sought  for  by  the  unfortunate  and  homeless.  This  is 
a  great  mistake.  They  only  who  have  witnessed  the 
tenacity  with  which  a  prisoner  will  argue  for  a  single 
additional  day  which  he  fancies  may  be  due  him  in 
making  up  his  time,  or  the  earnest  and  powerful  ap- 
peals he  will  make  for  the  restoration  of  a  day  lost  by 
misconduct,  under  our  commutation  law,  can  judge 
what  imprisonment  is  under  the  most  favorable  cir- 
cumstances. Deprived  of  liberty  even  of  speech  or 
the  use  of  their  eyes  except  upon  their  work  ;  forced  to 
pass  from  the  prison  to  the  workshop  and  back  again  ; 
to  know  that  each  day  in  the  week  will  bring  with  it 
the  same  unchangeable  rations  ;  unconscious  of  what 
is  passing  in  the  outside  world  ;  with  the  knowledge, 
perhaps,  that  wife  and  children  are  suffering  in  conse- 
quence of  their  misconduct,  —  the  great  sameness,  the 
terrible  monotony,  of  their  lives  cannot  be  described  or 
pictured  ;  one  must  be  familiar  with  it  to  understand  or 
realize  its  extent.  The  great  wonder  is,  that  so  few 
become  insane. 

To  guard  against  the  latter  calamity,  and  an  ear- 
nest desire  to  soften  the  rigor  of  imprisonment,  so  far 
as  it  could  be  done  with  propriety,  induced  me,  on  the 
Fourth  of  July,  1863,  to  try  the  experiment  of  having 
a  holiday  in  prison. 

At  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  the  prisoners  were  all 
assembled  in  the  chapel ;  the  services  consisted  of 
reading  the  Scriptures  and  prayer  by  the  chaplain, 


284  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

singing  patriotic  pieces  by  the  choir,  and  snort 
speeches  from  gentlemen  present.  At  eleven  o'clock 
they  were  marched  into  the  yard,  forming  a  hollow 
square,  myself  and  little  boy  three  years  old  in  the 
centre.  After  referring  to  the  good  news  received 
that  morning  from  the  army,  I  stated  that  I  was  about 
to  try  an  experiment,  and  its  repetition  would  proba- 
bly depend  upon  the  success  attending  it ;  that  I  pro- 
posed to  give  them  an  hour's  liberty,  during  which 
time  they  were  to  be  their  own  masters^  with  the 
privilege  of  enjoying  themselves  in  any  way  they 
thought  proper,  with  the  simple  restriction  that  they 
were  not  to  enter  or  go  to  the  rear  of  the  workshops, 
closing  by  saying  that  I  felt  confident  that  they  would 
do  nothing  that  would  cause  me  to  regret  the  step  I 
had  taken.  Up  to  this  moment,  no  one  on  the  prem- 
ises, save  the  deputy  warden,  knew  my  intention.  For 
a  moment  all  was  silent.  The  shout  that  then  burst 
from  those  four  hundred  throats,  the  delirium  of  de- 
light into  which  they  were  immediately  plunged,  at 
once  relieved  me  from  all  fear  as  to  the  result.  They 
shook  hands,  embraced  one  another,  laughed,  shouted, 
danced,  and  cried  ;  one  of  them  caught  up.  my  little 
boy,  rushed  into  the  crowd,  and  I  saw  no  more  of 
him  till  the  bell  called  them  to  order.  A  band  of 
music  was  stationed  in  the  centre  of  the  yard,  foot- 
balls and  quoits  furnished  them,  and  invited  guests  to 
the  number  of  about  seventy-five  —  ladies,  gentlemen, 
and  children  —  were  admitted,  mingling  freely  with 
them  in  conversation,  &c. 

Apparently  no  unusual  precaution  had  been  taken 
to  guard  the  prison. 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  285 

The  "  God  bless  you,  Mr.  Warden,"  which  greeted 
me  on  every  side,  together  with  the  wildest  and  most 
extravagant  expressions  of  delight  which  fell  from 
the  lips  of  all,  convinced  me  that  I  had  not  made  a 
mistake. 

At  the  first  stroke  of  the  bell  every  voice  was 
hushed ;  silently  and  quietly  they  fell  into  line  in 
their  respective  divisions,  and,  save  the  flush  of  ex- 
citement and  the  animated  expression  which  flashed 
from  the  eyes  of  all,  giving  them  more  the  appearance 
of  the  men  God  created  in  his  own  image  than  I  had 
ever  seen  in  that  place  before,  they,  in  their  usual 
good  order,  passed  to  their  cells,  taking  with  them 
for  dinner  baked  halibut,  string  beans,  onions,  beet 
greens,  plum-pudding,  tea  with  milk  and  sugar,  and 
were  locked  up  for  the  remainder  of  the  day. 

Here  let  me  remark,  that  previously,  on  public 
days,  it  was  expected  that  the  men  would  be  noisy 
and  troublesome.  I  have  been  informed  that  fre- 
quently as  many  as  a  dozen  have  been  taken  from 
their  cells  on  a  Fourth  of  July  for  disturbing  the  prison, 
and  shut  up  in  solitary  confinement.  Since  we  have 
had  these  holidays  (some  twelve  or  fifteen  in  all)  not 
a  whisper  has  been  heard  in  the  prison,  nor  the  slight- 
est impropriety  observed  upon  either  occasion  ;  and  I 
truly  believe  any  one  attempting  an  escape,  or  guilty 
of  any  marked  impropriety,  would  have  been  torn  in 
pieces  by  his  comrades. 

It  may  be  asked  what  real  benefit  is  derived  from 
these  occasions,  and  if  not  more  evil  than  good  is 
likely  to  result  from  the  commingling  of  the  good, 
bad,  and  indifferent,  with  which  our  prisons  are  popu- 


286  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

lated.  In  answer,  I  would  say,  that  a  convict  can  in 
no  probability  be  made  worse  by  it ;  and  further- 
more, it  has,  in  my  opinion,  already  saved  many  from 
becoming  temporarily,  if  not  permanently,  insane. 

A  convict  has  but  little  employment  for  his  mind, 
and,  as  is  too  often  the  case,  broods  over  his  own  misfor- 
tunes and  troubles  ;  and  if  he  has  a  long  sentence,  his 
mind  is  almost  certain  to  become  affected  to  a  greater 
or  less  degree.  Any  plan  or  measure  which  can  be 
adopted  that  will  turn  his  thoughts  from  himself  into 
another  channel,  or  break  the  monotony  with  which 
he  is  surrounded,  must  prove  beneficial.  These  occa- 
sions are  something  for  him  to  anticipate  and  reflect 
upon  when  passed :  it  cannot,  therefore,  be  denied, 
that,  as  a  sanitary  measure,  they  are  of  great  impor- 
tance. 

Our  punishments,  have  been  reduced  nearly  fifty 
per  cent,  in  the  last  three  years,  with  no  relaxation  in 
the  discipline.  The  men  were  in  the  constant  habit 
of  writing  notes  —  the  only  means  they  had  of  com- 
municating with  each  other :  the  contents  of  these 
notes  were  of  no  consequence,  but  the  writing  them 
was  a  violation  of  the  rules,  and  more  or  less  w^ere 
constantly  in  punishment  for  it.  This  is  now  to  a 
great  extent  abolished ;  the  opportunity  of  seeing  and 
conversing  with  each  other  occasionally  renders  it 
quite  unnecessary. 

Again :  it  can  be  made  a  powerful  agent  in  enfor- 
cing the  discipline,  by  giving  the  privilege  to  those 
only  who  behave  well.  What  more  powerful  incen- 
tive for  good  could  possibly  be  adopted? 

But,  above  all,  the  simple  recognition  of  manhood, 


PRISO:N  DISCIPLINE.  287 

the  confidence  placed  in  them,  struck  chords  in  the 
hearts  of  many  which  misery  and  crime  had  paralyzed 
and  unstrung,  causing  them  to  vibrate  anew  with 
emotions  reminding  them  of  home,  of  loved  ones,  of 
better  days ;  and  if  their  testimony,  corroborated  by 
their  improved  conduct,  can  be  taken,  it  has  been  the 
cause  of  raising  many  from  the  depths  of  despair,  and 
the  formation  of  resolutions  which  will  have  an  influ- 
ence upon  them  in  all  coming  time.  The  great  good 
it  has  already  accomplished  in  this  respect  cannot  be 
weighed,  gauged,  or  measured ;  and  whether  viewed 
in  the  light  of  enjoyment  by  the  men,  the  great  pro- 
priety observed,  the  good  feeling  engendered,  or  sub- 
sequent effect  upon  the  discipline  —  in  every  point  it 
has  proved  a  brilliant  success,  without  one  single  spot 
or  blemish  to  mar  its  universal  beauty. 

An  hour  spent  occasionally  in  the  same  way  in  any 
prison,  under  proper  rules  and  regulations,  would,  I 
am  certain,  prove  an  important  measure  in  a  sanitary 
point  of  view.  It  would  have  a  tendency  to  break  the 
monotony  of  their  lives,  give  them  the  necessary  out- 
door exercise  so  requisite  to  health,  furnish  them  with 
food  for  thought  and  contemplation,  withdraw  the 
mind  in  a  great  degree  from  themselves  and  the  ima- 
ginary wrongs  over  which  they  brood  and  mope  until 
they  become  to  them  almost  a  reality,  terminating  too 
frequently  in  insanity  or  death. 

I  do  not  say  that  the  same  success  would  attend  the 
experiment  in  all  other  prisons ;  on  the  contrary,  there 
might  be  some  doubt  about  it ;  much  would  depend 
upon  existing  circumstances  ;  a  preparatory  discipline 
or  education  would  be  found  necessary. 


288  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

The  evil  that  possibly  might  arise  from  these  holi- 
days is  not  worth  discussing.  The  idea  that  the  old, 
hardened,  and  accomplished  rogue  would  improve 
such  an  opportunity  to  poison  the  mind  of  the  novice, 
to  initiate  the  young  man  in  villany  and  crime,  is 
absurd :  these  moments  are  too  precious,  too  valuable 
to  be  fooled  away  in  such  a  manner ;  the  theme  would 
be  out  of  place  —  not  in  keeping  with  the  occasion. 

With  an  experience  of  eight  and  a  half  years  with 
these  men,  during  which  period  nearly  two  thousand 
different  persons,  representing  every  crime  imaginable, 
have  been  under  .my  charge,  I  have  yet  to  find  the 
first  man  that  I  thought  would  endeavor,  while  in 
prison,  to  influence  a  young  man  to  continue  in  crime 
when  discharged  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  invaria- 
bly advise  (though  they  may  not  follow  it  themselves) 
an  honest  life. 

My  conclusions,  drawn  from  the  experience  of  the 
last  three  years,  are,  that  a  desideratum  has  been 
found  in  prison  discipline  —  a  something  devoutly  to 
be  wished  for  by  every  one  interested  in  the  reforma- 
tion of  the  prisoner,  who  believes  these  unfortunate 
outcasts  are  endowed  by  their  Creator  with  minds  to  be 
improved  and  souls  to  be  saved.  I  may  be  somewhat 
in  advance  of  public  opinion,  or  of  the  views  of  those 
brought  up  under  the  old  regime,  and  wedded  to  the 
idea  that  punishment  and  reformation  are  antagonis- 
tic, or  that  punishment,  and  not  reformation,  is  the 
grand  object  of  all  imprisonment. 

A  careful  examination  is,  I  think,  all  that  is  re- 
quired to  satisfy  the  most  sceptical  that  the  discipline, 
industry,  and  good  order  prevailing  in  the  Massachu- 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  289 

setts  State  Prison  at  the  present  time,  will  compare 
favorably  with  those  of  any  other  like  institution  in  the 
country.  They  will  also  find  deeply  and  earnestly 
anticipated  by  the  inmates, -and,  to  them,  second  only 
to  the  day  which  brings  with  it  their  final  discharge, 
a  holiday  in  our  prison. 

The  following  address  was  delivered  in  the  prison 
chapel  April  2,  1868,  —  the  annual  Fast  Day,  —  it 
being  the  tenth  anniversary  of  the  warden's  appoint- 
ment :  — 

In  addressing  you  at  this  time,  I  feel  that  I  am  but 
discharging  a  duty  I  owe  to  you  as  well  as  myself. 
Situated  as  we  are,  I  think  there  should  be  a  proper 
understanding  between  us ;  and  I  know  of  no  better 
way  of  bringing  that  about,  than  by  my  occasionally 
giving  a  quiet,  friendly  expression  of  my  views  upon 
the  various  subjects  in  which  we  are  mutually  in- 
terested. 

I  do  not  address  you  at  this  time  simply  because  I 
am  desirous  of  making  a  speech  ;  far  from  it :  did 
I  not  feel  that  what  I  have  to  say  would  be,  if  not 
instructive,  at  least,  to  some  extent,  interesting,  I 
should  not  occupy  this  desk  to-day. 

There  always  exists  a  certain  telegraphic  communi- 
cation between  the  speaker  and  his  hearers,  which  in- 
dicates with  as  much  precision  as  the  barometer  does 
the  state  of  the  weather,  the  sympathy  between  them  ; 
and  it  is  with  pleasure  I  refer  to  the  attention  I  always 
receive  whenever  I  have  had  an  occasion  to  address 
you,  no  matter  what  the  subject  might  be,  or  how 
plainly  I  might  express  myself. 


290  MASSACHUSETTS   SiA'iK   PRISON. 

It  is  quite |  possible  that  I  may  repeat  some  things 
that  I  have  said  before ;  but  you  will  bear  in  mind 
that  my  audience  is  a  changeable  one,  and  a  repeti 
tion  upon  that  ground  may  be  excusable. 

Every  nation,  and  every  people,  no  matter  how 
ignorant,  savage,  cultivated  or  uncultivated  they-might 
be,  have  always  been  governed  by  laws,  either  written 
or  understood,  the  violation  of  which  would  subject 
the  violator  to  a  punishment  of  some  description. 
The  wisdom  and  propriety  of  this  no  one  has  ever 
questioned,  and  I  am  sure  that  no  body  of  men  will 
meet  together  within  our  state  to-day  who  would  be 
more  unanimous  upon  this  subject  than  the  one  before 
me  ;  and  I  feel  that  it  would  be  an  unnecessary  waste 
of  my  time,  and  a  poor  compliment  to  your  under- 
standing, for  me  to  enter  into  an  argument  to  prove 
the  necessity  of  laws  to  govern  society,  or  that  pun- 
ishment should  attend  the  violation  of  them.  Possi- 
bly we  might  differ  in  regard  to  the  kind  and  extent 
of  the  punishment,  but  in  nothing  else. 

It  might  be  interesting,  had  I  the  time,  to  trace  the 
various  modes  of  punishment  as  practised  in  different 
countries  and  at  different  periods :  it  would,  doubt- 
less, appear  that  improvement  in  this  respect  had  kept 
pace  with  civilization,  and  that  the  theory  that  prisons 
ought  to  be,  not  merely  places  of  restraint,  but  of 
restraint  coupled  with  deep  and  intense  misery,  and 
that  so  much  evil  is  repaired  by  so  much  misery  in- 
flicted, has  become  obsolete. 

Should  I  truthfully  describe  places  of  imprison- 
ment, and  the  treatment  men  were  subjected  to  in 
them,  even  here  in  New  England,  within  the  last  half 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  29! 

century,  I  should  hardly  be  believed.  Doubtless 
many  of  you  think  this  place  bad  enough  :  so  it  is ; 
and  yet  there  are  those  here  to-day  —  for  we  have 
some  old  residents  —  who  can  remember  it  as  a  very 
different  place  from  what  it  is  now. 

This  institution  was  established  for  the  reforma- 
tion as  well  as  punishment  of  offenders.  Doubtless 
some  of  you  will  smile  at  the  idea  ;  you  may  think  it 
a  strange  way  of  reforming  men  ;  but  what  patient 
ever 'fancied  the  medicine  prescribed  by  a  physician? 
Like  skilful  surgeons  we  must  sometimes  cut  beyond 
the  sore  to  make  the  cure  complete.  If,  in  the  mak- 
ing of  the  rules  and  regulations  for  the  government  of 
the  prison,  the  matter  had  been  referred  to  you,  possi- 
bly we  might  have  had  a  different  code,  but  whether 
an  improved  one  is  another  question. 

The  impression,  to  some  extent,  prevails  among 
the  inmates,  that  between  them  and  the  officers  of  the 
institution  there  must  necessarily  exist  feelings  of 
antagonism  ;  we  are  looked  upon  with  distrust,  simply 
because  we  hold  the  offices  and  enforce  the  rules. 
This  is  all  wrong.  I  know  of  no  reason  why  good 
feeling  and  confidence  should  not  exist  between  us; 
you  should  bear  in  mind  that  we  are  not  responsible 
for  your  being  here,  but  we  are  for  the  discipline,  and 
your  safe  keeping.  The  rules  and  regulations  are  not 
made  by  us,  but  are  given  us,  after  being  approved  by 
the  governor  and  council,  for  our  guidance,  and  any 
deviation  or  non-fulfilment  of  them  would  probably 
end  in  our  dismissal  from  the  situations  we  hold. 
True,  I  have  occasionally  taken  the  responsibility  to 
deviate  from  them,  and  shall  again  to-day,  in  allowing 


292  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

you  the  freedom  of  the  yard,  relying  upon  your  honor 
and  appreciation  of  the  privilege  as  a  sufficient  guar- 
antee that  the  occasion  will  not  be  abused,  nor  have  I 
cause  to  regret  the  confidence  I  place  in  you  ;  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  I  believe  that  it  will  prove  an  hour 
of  recreation  and  enjoyment,  conducive  alike  to  health 
and  happiness,  having  a  tendency  to  unite  still  closer 
the  bond  of  good  feeling  which  ought  to  exist  be- 
tween us. 

The  one  almost  universal  complaint  among  you 
is  in  regard  to  your  sentences ;  great  dissatisfaction 
exists  relative  to  this  matter.  I  don't  know  that  I 
ever  heard  one  of  you  admit  that  your  sentence  was 
a  just  one  in  every  respect ;  either  the  evidence  against 
you  was  circumstantial  or  unreliable ;  some  other 
party  more  guilty  than  yourself  escaped,  or  received 
a  lighter  sentence  than  you  ;  sufficient  time  was  not 
allowed  you  to  prepare  for  your  trial,  &c.  ;  and  I  am 
frequently  appealed  to  to  right  these  real  or  imaginary 
wrongs  by  way  of  a  pardon  :  the  impression  generally 
entertained  among  you  is,  that  in  this  matter  of  par- 
dons I  have  entire  control,  and  have  only  to  intimate 
my  wish,  or  yield  my  consent,  to  have  you  set  at  lib- 
erty. This  is  a  great  mistake.  I  do  not  deny  but 
that  the  influence  of  the  warden  might  prove  very 
potent  either  in  obtaining  or  preventing  a  pardon  in 
any  one  particular  case  should  he  deem  it  necessary 
to  use  it,  but  it  would  soon  be  destroyed  if  employed 
on  either  side  in  the  hundreds  of  cases  constantly  be- 
fore the  governor  and  council. 

This  question  of  pardons  is  an  important  one  — « 
one  in  which  you  are  all  more  or  less  inte^e^tad .  »t  is 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  293 

a  very  delicate  one  to  discuss ;  yet  I  have  no  hesitation 
in  giving  you  my  views  upon  it,  although  we  may 
differ  widely  upon  the  subject,  for  I  know  you  like 
candor,  and  have  no  desire  to  have  me  stand  up  in 
this  desk  and  make  statements  that  you  know  I  don't 
believe,  merely  for  the  sake  of  pleasing  you  for  the 
moment,  and  when  called  upon,  to  find  my  practice 
not  in  keeping  with  my  precepts.  People  looking  at 
objects  from  different  stand-points  come  to  different 
conclusions.  If  our  laws  were  perfect,  and  our  judges 
infallible,  there  would  be  no  necessity  for  pardons ; 
for  I  think  the  most  salutary  ingredient  of  punish- 
ment is  its  certainty.  No  man  in  his  right  mind  would 
commit  crime  were  he  certain  that  detection  and  pun- 
ishment would  follow  ;  therefore  the  nearer  we  can 
approach  such  a  state  of  affairs  the  better ;  for  I  hold 
that  any  measure  that  has  a  tendency  to  prevent  crime 
is  a  proper  one. 

I  think  that  justice  requires  that  every  one  should 
understand  clearly  and  distinctly  the  penalty  of  the 
crime  they  commit.  If  there  are  none  of  sufficient 
magnitude  to  deserve  a  life  sentence,  it  should  be  abol- 
ished, and  a  term  of  years  substituted  ;  and,  if  the 
sentences  for  minor  offences  are  given  with  the  under- 
standing, both  by  the  judge  and  criminal,  that  but  a 
part  will  be  inflicted,  the  sooner  it  is  corrected  the 
better.  The  idea  tliat  some  of  our  judges  entertain, 
that  if  a  man  deserves  five  years'  imprisonment,  it  is 
necessary  to  give  him  a  ten  years'  sentence  in  order  to 
secure  it,  is  a  bad  one.  I  do  not  advocate  severe  sen- 
tences, but  only  such  as  the  crime  actually  demands. 
I  believe  our  criminal  code  to  be  very  defective  ;  that 


294  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

men  are  sent  here  for  crimes  that  ought  not  to  be 
State  Prison  offences,  and  instead  of  five  or  six  now 
punishable  with  a  life  sentence,  there  should  be  but 
one.  I  would  reduce  the  penalty,  or  place  it  in  the 
power  of  each  individual  by  good  behavior  to  reduce 
it  to  a  much  greater  extent  than  now,  and  the  proba- 
bility of  obtaining  a  pardon  in  the  same  ratio. 

"  But,"  says  one,  "  would  you  shut  out  all  hope  from 
these  men?"  God  forbid  ;  but  in  my  opinion  a  pardon 
should  not  be  held  so  lightly  that  the  probability  of 
obtaining  one  would  be  calculated  upon,  and  reckoned 
in  when  counting  the  chances  before  committing  crime. 

As  I  have  already  observed,  our  laws  are  not  per- 
fect, our  judges  may  err,  and  a  pardon  in  many  cases 
is  the  only  way  to  right  a  wrong,  or  remedy  a  mistake  ; 
and  Heaven  forbid  that  I  should  ever  do  aught,  either 
by  word  or  deed,  to  prevent  the  humblest  here  from 
presenting  his  case  fully  and  without  prejudice  to  the 
governor. 

It  is  a  mistaken  idea,  however,  that  some  of  you 
entertain,  that  it  is  a  part  of  my  duty  to  investigate 
your  cases.  With  that,  as  I  have  oftentimes  said  be- 
fore, I  have  nothing  to  do  :  you  may  be  as  innocent 
as  the  child  unborn,  and  yet  my  duty  is  the  same. 

Should  I  devote  the  whole  of  my  time  to  the  sub- 
ject, I  could  not  properly  investigate  one  half  of  the 
cases  of  those  who  think  they  are  here  wrongfully  ;  and 
to  do  it  for  some,  and  not  others,  to  make  a  distinc- 
tion between  you,  would  soon  bring  me  into  trouble. 

Before  your  trial  the  law  presumed  you  were  inno- 
cent, and  it  was  necessary  for  the  prosecuting  officer 
to  show  your  guilt  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  court  and 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  2p5 

jury.  After  your  conviction  the  case  is  reversed,  and 
you  are  presumed  to  be  guilty,  and  it  rests  upon 
you  to  satisfy  the  governor  and  council  of  your  inno- 
cence :  this  is  oftentimes  a  very  difficult  matter.  No 
man  would  ever  be  convicted  upon  the  evidence  pre- 
sented in  his  defence  ;  and  as  that  is  generally  all  that 
is  brought  before  the  governor,  it  is  necessarily  re- 
ceived with  a  great  deal  of  caution.  But- the  question 
is  frequently  asked,  "  Why  keep  a  man  here  all  the  best 
days  of  his  life?"  If  his  conduct  has  been  such  as  to 
give  a  reasonable  degree  of  assurance  that  he  has 
reformed,  why  not  let  him  out?  Why  not  give  him  a 
chance  to  redeem  himself?  Am  I  not  as  likely  to 
behave  well,  if  liberated  now,  as  I  shall  be  if  I  have 
to  remain  four  or  five  years  longer?"  These  are  deli- 
cate and  difficult  questions  to  answer.  Suppose  the 
theory  were  adopted  that  a  man  should  be  discharged 
when  reformed  ;  who  would  decide  when  that  period 
had  arrived?  The  inspectors,  the  chaplain,  or  my- 
self? I  think  either  party  would  shrink  from  the 
responsibility.  I  would  ask  you  if  you  think  crime 
would  be  prevented,  or  lessened,  if  it  was  understood 
that  a  few  months  or  years  of  good  conduct,  either 
real  or  assumed,  would  atone  for  its  commission. 

Men  are  punished,  not  for  what  they  may  individ- 
ually suffer,  but  for  the  example,  that  others  may  be 
deterred  from  committing  the  same  crime* 

A  large  proportion  of  those  before  me  to-day  are 
here  in  consequence  of  strong  drink.  But  for  that 
they  would  have  remained  quiet,  respectable  members 
of  society,  who  would  sooner  have  lost  their  right 
hand  than  commit  crime,  when  not  under  this  terrible 


2$  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISOtf. 

influence.  Let  me  illustrate  this  point  by  stating  some 
facts ;  and  I  trust  you  will  believe  that  it  is  not  for 
the  purpose  of  calling  up  unpleasant  feelings  in  the 
minds  of  any  of  you  that  I  do  it,  but  simply  that  you 
may  understand  to  what  an  extent  strong  drink  is 
connected  with  crime,  and  the  difficulty  of  dealing 
with  it. 

Since  I  have  been  connected  with  the  prison,  we 
have  had  twenty-one  here  for  killing  their  wives,  two 
for  killing  their  fathers,  and  one  for  killing  his  mother. 
Of  these  twenty-four,  all  but  one  were  not  only  habitual 
drunkards,  but  actually  drunk  when  they  committed 
the  crime.  Not  one  of  this  number  was  born  a  drunk- 
ard ;  not  one  but  was  once  a  temperate  drinker ;  not 
one  but  what  at  some  period  in  his  life  would  have 
been  indignant  had  it  been  intimated  that  he  might 
become  a  drunkard,  much  less  a  murderer ;  not  one 
but  was  as  secure  against  becoming  a  drunkard  as 
any  other  man  who  is  in  the  habit  of  drinking  occa- 
sionally ;  not  one,  save  for  this  curse,  but  might  have 
remained  an  honest  member  of  society,  respectable 
and  respected,  a  blessing  to  himself  and  family,  enjoy- 
ing to-day  the  freedom  God  designed  the  meanest  of 
his  creatures  should  enjoy,  instead  of  being  compelled 
to  drag  out  long,  miserable  years  in  servitude  and  sor- 
row. I  repeat,  these  were  not  bad  men,  except  when 
under  the  influence  of  liquor  ;  and  yet  justice  can  make 
no  distinction,  but  holds  him  equally  guilty  who  com- 
mits crime  under  such  circumstances,  as  the  one  who 
soberly  and  with  intellect  unclouded  violates  the  law. 

But  it  may  be  asked,  "Are  there  no  cases  deserving 
a  pardon  ?  "  Yes,  many.  First,  if  it  can  be  shown  that 


PRISON    DISCIPLINE.  29^ 

a  man  is  here  innocently,  he  not  only  should  be  par- 
doned, but  restitution  to  the  fullest  extent  made  him 
for  the  great  injustice  he  has  suffered ;  the  discovery 
of  new  and  reliable  evidence,  which,  if  it  had  been 
presented  on  his  trial,  would  have  prevented  a  con- 
viction ;  a  man  sick  wito  death,  who  has  friends  able 
and  willing  to  care  for  him  ;  uniform  good  conduct, 
or  substantial  services  rendered  the  state.  I  do  not 
wish  it  understood  that  I  consider  it  the  duty  of  the 
inmates  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  prison,  or  to 
act  as  spies  upon  each  other.  It  matters  not  what 
information  you  may  have,  —  it  is  something  we  have 
no  right  to  demand  ;  and  your  neglecting  to  give  it  us 
would  make  no  difference,  so  far  as  your  position  or 
treatment  is  concerned  here.  Should  you,  however, 
think  proper  to  render  a  service  of  that  or  any  other 
substantial  kind,  you  may  rest  assured  it  would  not 
be  forgotten. 

You  may  ask  if  I  should  consider  it  my  duty  to 
oppose  a  pardon  not  coming  under  either  of  the  heads 
I  have  mentioned.  Certainly  not.  I  do  not  consider 
it  my  duty  to  oppose  a  pardon  under  any  circum- 
stances, further  than  sending  to  the  governor  the  record 
of  conduct,  and  that  is  always  required  of  me.  I  have 
spoken  thus  freely  upon  this  subject,  for  it  is  one  in 
which  we  are  all  interested,  and  I  feel  confident  noth- 
ing I  have  said  will  prevent  any  of  you  from  asking 
my  advice  or  assistance,  if  you  desire  it,  as  readily 
after  what  I  have  said  as  before ;  and  I  assure  you, 
you  will  find  me  as  willing  in  the  future  as  in  the 
past  to  do  everything  I  can,  consistently,  to  assist 
you. 


298  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

Ten  years  have  rolled  by  since  I  entered  upon  the 
duties  as  warden  of  this  institution  —  ten  years  this 
morning  since,  upon  the  spot  where  I  am  now  stand- 
ing, I  was  introduced  to  the  four  hundred  and  seventy- 
four  inmates  then  in  the  prison.  I  said,  upon  that  oc- 
casion, that  I  came  among  you.  a  stranger  ;  not  one,  so 
so  far  as  I  knew,  that  I  had  ever  seen  before ;  I  had, 
therefore,  no  feeling  in  favor  of,  or  prejudices  against, 
any  one  present ;  that  I  should  endeavor  to  discharge 
the  duties  faithfully  and  impartially.  How  far  I  have 
succeeded  is  for  others  to  judge.  It  has  been  a  period 
of  great  interest  to  me  —  one  not  to  be  forgotten  while 
memory  holds  its  seat.  Scenes  I  have  witnessed,  stories 
I  have  heard,  prove  conclusively  that  truth  is  indeea 
stranger  than  fiction. 

The  position  I  hold  is  an  important,  and  sometimes 
a  trying  one,  full  of  perplexities.  I  am  sometimes  com- 
pelled to  seem  unn'ecessarily  strict  and  severe,  to  deny 
requests  apparently  simple  in  themselves,  but  which 
have  a  bearing,  directly  or  indirectly,  upon  the  -disci- 
pline, and  the  granting  of  which  would  lead  to  much 
vexation  in  the  way  of  precedence.  A  line  must  be 
drawn  somewhere.  I  assure  you  that  with  me  there 
is  always  more  pleasure  in  granting  than  in  refusing 
a  request ;  and  if  it  is  denied  you  may  be  sure  there 
are  good  reasons  for  it,  although  it  may  not  always  be 
proper  to  enter  into  an  explanation. 

Many  changes  have  taken  place  here  within  the 
last  ten  years — many  improvements  made.  Of  the 
four  hundred  and  seventy-four  men  here  when  I  came, 
all  but  seven  have  been  discharged :  some  of  them, 
however,  have  returned ;  whether  that  is  to  be  at- 


PRISON    DISCIPLIIsE.  299 

tributed  to  my  popularity,  or  the  improvements  made, 
I  shall  not  attempt  to  decide.  Fourteen  hundred  and 
fifty-nine  have  been  received,  eleven  hundred  and 
thirty-five  discharged,  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven 
pardoned,  sixty  died,  and  some  half  a  dozen  have 
been  so  ungrateful  as  to  leave  without  bidding  us 
good  by  —  another  illustration  of  the  depravity  of 
human  nature;  leaving  five  hundred  and  forty-seven 
in  prison  to-day,  of  whom  fifty-five  are  for  life. 

Among  the  most  important  improvements  made  in 
the  yard  was  the  removal  of  the  old  chapel,  which 
some  of  you  will  recollect  extending  almost  the  entire 
length  of  the  north  wing ;  the  repair  and  barber  shop 
fitted  up  ;  the  whip  shop  extended  ;  the  old  stone  shed 
removed  from  the  centre  of  the  yard,  and  the  plot  of 
grass  in  its  place  ;  the  prison  yard  enlarged,  and  the 
foundery  built ;  the  large  windows  put  into  the  north 
wing  in  place  of  the  small  loop-holes  originally  there ; 
our  wharf  enlarged  ;  the  prohibition  in  regard  to  tobac- 
co removed  ;  the  party-colored  dress  abolished  ;  the 
time  of  writing  to  and  seeing  your  friends  reduced  from 
six  to  three  months,  mush  reduced  from  five  to  one  night 
in  a  week  for  supper,  and  white  bread  substituted  in 
its  place  ;  the  food  improved  in  quality  and  quantity 
(that  is,  when  you  get  what  you  are  entitled  to  ;  but  the 
fact  is,  there  are  some  in  this  institution  that  are  no 
more  to  be  trusted  than  members  of  Congress,  and  some- 
times, when  trade  is  good,  they  do  not  leave  enough 
meat  for  the  hash  to  poison  you  if  it  wras  arsenic)  ;  the 
library  enlarged,  and  catalogues  furnished,  enabling 
you  to  select  your  own  books ;  changing  them  if  you 
wish  three  times  a  week  (formerly  you  got  but  one 


300 


MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 


book  a  week,  and  you  had  no  choice  in  that ;  it  was 
given  to  the  first  man  in  the  division,  and  when  he 
had  read  it,  it  was  passed  to  the  next,  and  so  on 
through  the  whole  division)  ;  magazines  admitted  ;  the 
old  guard-room  demolished,  and  the  addition  made  to 
the  west  wing;  lectures  introduced  ;  and  what  I  think 
you  prize  above  all,  our  holidays,  with  the  freedom  of 
the  yard,  and  the  remembrances  from  your  friends 
permitted  upon  those  occasions.  And  at  my  sug- 
gestion the  laws  have  been  changed  in  several  par- 
ticulars. First.  Your  time  commences  from  the  day 
you  are  sentenced.  Secondly.  Any  number  of  sen- 
tences are  added  together  and  counted  as  one,  in 
deducting  your  good  time  ;  and  for  a  seven  years'  sen- 
tence you  now  get  four  clays  a  month,  instead  of  two 
originally ;  and  in  my  report  for  the  past  year  I 
recommend  an  extension  of  this  principle,  allowing  a 
man  one  day  a  month  for  every  year  of  his  sentence 
up  to  ten  years  ;  if  adopted,  it  would  reduce  a  ten  years' 
sentence,  with  all  the  time  off,  to  six  years  and  four 
months,  with  the  proviso  that  if  you  come  back,  the 
time  gained  would  be  added  to  your  next  sentence. 

I  think  I  can  truly  say  that  more  improvements 
have  been  made  in  the  last  ten  years  than  in  any  like 
period  since  the  institution  was  opened  ;  and  yet  it 
remains  a  prison  still,  unattractive,  cold,  and  cheerless, 
not  one  word  to  be  said  in  its  favor ;  and  the  great 
sorrow  to  me  is,  that  so  many  young  men,  smart, 
active  young  men,  who  are  capable  of  filling  any 
position  in  society,  who  have  health,  strength,  brains, 
and  perseverance,  —  qualifications  so  essential  to  suc- 
cess in  this  country,  —  should  be  willing  to  drag  out  a 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  30 1 

miserable  existence  in  a  place  like  this,  depriving 
themselves  of  the  pleasures  and  freedom  God  designed 
the  meanest  of  his  creatures  should  enjoy.  This  will 
apply  more  particularly  to  those  who  have  been  here 
once,  and  come  back.  Great  Heavens  !  as  though  one 
year,  one  month,  or  even  a  day  in  this  place  was  not 
sufficient  to  satisfy  any  one !  That  a  man  may  be 
made  the  victim  of  those  in  whom  he  trusted,  or  by  a 
train  of  circumstances  sometimes  almost  unaccount- 
able, should  find  himself  an  inmate  of  this  place,  is 
not  surprising ;  but  that  he  should  allow  himself  to  be 
cheated  a  second  time,  or  that  he  should  deliberately 
plunge  again  into  crime,  with  the  chances  of  success 
in  his  operations  so  small,  and  the  almost  certainty, 
sooner  or  later,  of  being  detected,  is  truly  astonishing. 
The  man  who  supposes  he  can  leave  this  place  and 
remain  in  this  vicinity,  except  he  is  engaged  in  honest 
labor,  and  not  have  his  every  movement  known  to  the 
police,  is  laboring  under  a  great  mistake ;  when  he 
fancies  his  security  is  perfect,  himself  and  vocation  un- 
known, justice  from  a  quarter  the  least  expected  is 
patiently  waiting  for  the  proper  moment,  and  then 
steps  forth  and  lays  its  iron  grasp  upon  its  victim,  and 
three,  five,  ten  years,  or  life,  in  the  State  Prison  is  the 
result. 

O  that  you  would  heed  the  advice  of  those  who, 
whatever  you  may  think,  feel  a  deep  interest  in  your 
welfare.  What  is  there  in  this  world,  either  in  the  shape 
of  pleasure  or  wealth,  that  can  compensate  a  man  for 
five  years,  taken  out  of  the  best  part  of  his  life,  passed 
in  this  prison  ?  I  have  nothing  to  say  in  regard  to  the 
past ;  let  the  dead  past  bury  its  dead ;  it  cannot  be 


3O2  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

recalled  ;  let  it  be  forgotten,  except  such  parts  as  shall 
have  a  tendency  to  build  up  and  strengthen  good 
resolutions.  But  the  future, — the  vast,  unexplored, 
unknown  future  —  is  before  you  ;  its  pages  are  blank, 
its  history  is  to  be  made  by  you  :  ask  your  own  hearts 
what  course  pays  best ;  which,  for  your  best  interests, 
even  on  earth,  is  it  your  policy  to  pursue? 

O,  by  the  manhood  still  left  in  your  breasts ;  by 
your  hopes  of  happiness  in  this  and  the  life  to  come  ; 
by  the  love  you  bear -your  children,  —  sweet,  innocent 
angels,  —  deprived  of  your  care  and  protection  ;  by 
your  loving  wives,  who  have  suffered  so  much,  yet 
cling  to  you  with  a  tenacity  unknown  or  unequalled 
except  in  woman's  love  ;  by  the  thoughts  of  home,  its 
loved  ones,  the  seat  made  vacant  by  your  absence, 
your  poor  heart-broken  mothers,  whose  love  and  affec- 
tion for  you  cannot  be  shaken ;  for,  do  what  you  will, 
sink  as  low  as  you  may,  even  to  the  very  depths  of 
degradation,  let  all  others  despise,  detest  you,  there  is 
one  heart  upon  which  you  can  always  rely,  one  that 
will  not  be  estranged,  will  not  be  alienated,  for  it  is 
bound  to  you  by  ligaments  stronger  than  hoops  of 
brass  or  bands  of  steel  —  a  mother.  O,  remember,  if 
you,  who  are  blessed  with  mothers,  keep  her  image 
ever  before  you,  and  pledge  upon  the  altar  of  her 
broken  heart,  and  the  dear  ones  I  have  mentioned,  that, 
should  God  permit  you  to  leave  this  place  alive,  never 
to  return,  no,  never,  never,  never  !  And  may  God  sup- 
port and  strengthen  you  in  your  endeavors  to  do  right. 

The  following  address  was  delivered  before  the  Soci- 
ety for  Aid  of  Discharged  Convicts,  May  26,  1868  :  — 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  303 

"What  shall  we  do  with  our  convicts?  This  is  a 
problem  England  has  been  in  vain  attempting  to 
solve  for  the  last  century.  The  gallows  was  the  great 
panacea  resorted  to  during  the  greater  part  of  that 
period.  The  result  was  like  sowing  dragons'  teeth ; 
and  although  that  terrible  instrument  was  kept  in 
constant  use,  the  criminal  ranks  were  not  materially 
thinned  ;  new  converts  sprang  up  from  every  quarter  : 
even  under  the  shadow  of  the  scaffold,  when  occupied 
by  its  victim,  crimes  were  committed  with  as  much 
impunity  as  in  the  most  retired  and  unfrequented 
quarters. 

"  Englishmen  are  proverbially  stubborn,  slow  to 
encourage  any  innovation  upon  ancient  customs  and 
usages,  and  the  gallows  with  them  has  ever  been  con- 
sidered an  institution  closely  allied  with  the  government 
itself,  and  any  interference  with  it  by  the  authorities 
would  have  been  looked  upon  by  the  lower  classes  as 
an  encroachment  upon  their  vested  rights,  by  depriving 
them  of  an  occasional  holiday.  Public  opinion,  even 
in  England,  has  recently  been  so  worked  upon  as  to 
actually  question  its  necessity,  and  has  taken  the 
first  step  towards  its  abolition  by  prohibiting  public, 
executions. 

"  The  next  experiment  tried  was  transportation ; 
but  with  no  better  results.  Crime  continued,  addi- 
tional prisons  were  required,  and  for  every  criminal 
removed  two  seemed  to  start  up  to  fill  their  places ; 
and  England,  to-day,  so  far  as  anything  practical  has 
been  accomplished,  is  undecided  as  to  what  shall  be 
done  with  its  convicts. 

"  True,  the  public  has  been  somewhat  interested  in 


304  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

the  discussions  caused  by  Miss  Carpenter's  book  en- 
titled Our  Convicts,  and  the  success  attending  the 
efforts  of  Captain  Machonechi  at  Norfolk  Island,  and 
Sir  Walter  Crofton  in  Ireland,  and  the  question  is 
now  being  asked,  if  some  method  cannot  be  adopted 
whereby  some  of  this  class  may  be  reclaimed. 

"  The  Irish  system  is,  without  doubt,  the  most  per- 
fect ever  yet  conceived.  It  strikes  at  the  root  of  the 
evil ;  it  discards  the  idea  that  justice  should  be  satis- 
fied, and  the  community  fulfilled  its  responsibility  by 
the  confinement  and  punishment  of  the  convict  for  a 
certain  period,  and  letting  him  loose  again  without  re- 
gard being  paid  to  his  instruction  while  in  prison,  or 
his  welfare  after  his  release.  It  is  not  my  intention  to 
discuss  the  Irish  or  any  other  system  at  the  present 
time,  only  so  far  as  they  have  a  bearing  upon  the  con- 
vict after  his  discharge. 

"  In  our  system,  three  principles  are  involved,  viz,, 
reformation,  punishment,  and  profit,  which  should 
stand  in  the  order  they  are  named ;  yet  I  regret  to 
say  that  they  are  too  often  reversed,  and  profit  heads 
the  list.  It  is  an  indisputable  fact  that  the  warden  or 
superintendent,  who  can  at  the  end  of  the  year  show 
the  largest  profit,  is  voted  the  most  successful ;  educa- 
tion, reformation,  and  good  discipline  are  all  very  well 
in  their  way  ;  but  when  placed  in  the  balance  against 
profits,  they  kick  the  beam.  With  this  feeling  in  the 
community,  many  things  are  done  that  ought  not  to 
be,  and  many  more  left  undone,  in  order  that  the  bal- 
ance-sheet may  stand  well  at  the  close  of  the  year.  In 
the  Irish  system  every  step  taken  is  in  reference  to  the 
welfare  of  the  convict  when  released.  Some  of  the 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  305 

most  important  principles  upon  which  depends  its 
success,  could  not,  I  fear,  be  successfully  adopted  and 
carried  out  in  this  country,  viz.,  the  third  stage  of 
imprisonment,  which  consists  principally  of  out-door 
labor,  with  little  of  the  restraints  or  surroundings  of 
a  prison,  with  the  ticket-of-leave  and  supervision  after 
their  discharge. 

u  These  principles,  for  reasons  apparent  to  every 
one,  could  not  be  applied  in  a  country  like  ours.  Its 
extent  and  want  of  jurisdiction  beyond  the  individual 
state  would  render  it  impossible. 

"  But  we  have  here  in  Massachusetts,  in  our  state 
agency  for  discharged  convicts,  and  in  this  society,  an 
element  of  reformation  second  only  to  the  Irish  sys- 
tem, and  far  in  advance  of  any  plan  to  be  found  in 
either  of  the  other  states.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  pro- 
nouncing it  the  most  important  principle  connected 
with  our  system. 

"  The  act  establishing  the  agency  was  passed,  I 
think,  in  1845,  and  this  society  formed  immediately 
after.  Let  us,  for  a  moment,  consider  the  situation 
of  a  man  discharged  from  prison,  after  serving  three, 
five,  or  ten  years.  He  had  no  trade  when  committed, 
but  has  learned  one,  which  will,  if  he  can  only  find 
employment  at  it,  enable  him  to  earn  an  honest  living, 
but  finds  himself,  on  his  release,  a  stranger.  Every- 
thing has  changed,  except  the  old  haunts  which  he 
used  to  frequent ;  and  they  have  not  only  become  more 
numerous,  but  the  fascinations  with  which  they  are 
surrounded  more  attractive,  and,  nine  times  out  of 
ten,  repulsed  and  shunned  by  the  better  part  of  the 
community,  he  can  count  upon  a  cordial  welcome  only 

20 


306  MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 

from  his  old  associates.  Is  it  strange,  then,  if  unaided, 
he  should  relapse  again  into  crime?  Nothing  short  of 
a  miracle  can  save  a  man  under  such  circumstances. 
They  feel,  as  they  have  often  told  me,  as  though  every 
person  they  met  knew  them,  and  from  whence  they 
came.  If  they  seek  for  employment  at  any  respectable 
place  or  calling,  the  first  question  usually  asked  is, 
where  and  for  whom  they  have  worked :  they  must 
prevaricate,  or  lie ;  for,  if  they  tell  the  truth,  the 
chances  are  that  they  will  be  repulsed,  or  if  retained, 
it  will  be  under  such  peculiar  circumstances  as  to 
render  their  situation  as  unpleasant  and  disagreeable 
as  possible.  Many  a  reconvicted  man  has  told  me, 
when  interrogated  as  to  the  cause  of  his  return  to 
prison  (not  under  the  present  able  and  faithful  man- 
agement of  the  agency,  but  when,  unfortunately,  it 
was  made  secondary  to  some  other  occupation),  that 
they  had  been  unable  to  find  the  agent,  or,  if  found, 
he  was  too  busy  to  attend  to  them  ;  they  must  call 
again  to-morrow,  or  the  next  day.  In  the  mean  time 
they  were  almost  certain  to  fall  in  with  some  of  their 
old  companions,  and  an  invitation  to  drink,  a  visit  to 
their  old  haunts,  a  few  hours  of  dissipation  there,  and 
they  were  prepared  for  any  project  which  might  be 
proposed,  notwithstanding  the  good  resolutions  they 
may  have  formed,  and,  under  other  circumstances, 
might  have  carried  into  effect. 

"  The  state  appropriates  eighteen  hundred  dollars 
annually  for  this  object  —  eight  hundred  dollars  for 
the  salary  of  the  agent,  and  one  thousand  dollars  to  be 
expended  in  assisting  these  men.  This  sum,  notwith- 
standing its  insignificance,  is  a  better  investment  for 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  307 

the  state  pecuniarily,  than  to  receive  a  thousand  dol- 
lars a  year  for  every  grog-shop  that  might  be  licensed. 

"What  does  the  state  gain  by  keeping  a  man  in 
prison  a  term  of  years,  no  matter  what  he  may  suffer, 
if,  when  discharged,  he  is  no  better  prepared  to  earn 
an  honest  living  than  when  committed,  or,  if  prepared, 
not  able  to  avail  himself  of  what  he  has  learned? 
Good  policy  dictates  that  you  should  not  only  prepare 
him  to  battle  with  the  world  by  educating  and  giving 
him  a  good  trade,  but  also  an  opportunity  to  carry 
into  effect  the  good  resolutions  he  may  have  formed 
while  in  prison.  Every  species  of  improvement,  and 
every  system,  without  such  an  end  in  view,  must  of 
necessity  prove  a  failure. 

"  The  discharged  convict  must  undergo  trials  and 
temptations  such  as  no  other  class  of  the  community 
can  ever  be  subjected  to,  and  such  as  no  one  not  famil- 
iar with  the  subject  can  realize  or  understand.  If  he 
is  saved,  it  must  be  through  the  exertion  of  friends,  or 
this  society,  through  its  agent.  It  resolves  itself  into 
this  simple  question :  Are  the  one  hundred  and  fifty 
young  men  annually  discharged  from  our  State  Prison 
worth  saving?  Shall  they  be  permitted  to  sink  again 
into  crime,  without  one  effort  being  made  to  save 
them,  turned  loose  with  wits  sharpened  by  experience, 
and  feelings  of  revenge  rankling  in  their  bosoms,  to 
prey  upon  the  community,  and  perhaps  successfully, 
too,  for  years  before  they  can  be  arrested  in  their  ca- 
reer, involving  severe  losses  to  individuals,  and  taxing 
the  public  in  each  case,  to  arrest  and  bring  them  to 
justice,  more  than  the  whole  sum  annually  appropri- 
ated by  the  state  for  the  relief  of  these  men. 


308  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

"  It  is  not  to  be  expected  that  every  one  can  be  re- 
claimed. Some  are  naturally  vicious,  and  apparently 
beyond  the  reach  of,  and  impenetrable  to,  either  kind- 
ness or  severity  ;  but  these  are  the  exceptions  :  a  large 
proportion  of  them  have  been  saved  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  this  society,  and  made  good  citizens, 
adding  to  the  wealth  and  prosperity  of  the  state,  in- 
stead of  becoming  outcasts,  with  their  hands  against 
every  man,  and  every  man's  hand  against  them. 

"  He  should  not  be  furnished  with  money,  but  work, 
and  tools  to  work  with  ;  but,  above  all,  received  with 
kind  and  encouraging  words.  Let  him  feel  that  the 
agent  is  a  friend,  ready  at  all  times  to  listen  to  his  real 
or  imaginary  troubles,  and  to  assist  him  or  his  family, 
if  Reserving.  He  must  understand  that  he  cannot  be 
-supported  in  idleness  or  dissipation,  but  that  the  object 
of  the  society  is  to  assist  those  who  are  willing  to  assist 
vthemselves. 

-"  The  first  week  succeeding  a  convict's  discharge  is 
the  most  critical  period  in  his  life,  —  everything  de- 
pending upon  the  reception  and  treatment  he  may 
receive  from  those  into  whose  society  he  falls.  It  mat- 
ters not  'that  he  may  have  formed  good  resolutions, 
and  quits  the  prison  with  a  determination  to  carry 
them  into  effect :  if  coldly  received,  or  repulsed,  they 
will  vanish  like  mist  before  the  rays  of  the  sun ;  he 
sinks  again  into  crime,  stilling  his  conscience  with  the 
reflection  that  he  is  not  to  be  blamed,  that  he  made  an 
effort  in  good  faith  to  reform,  was  willing  to  labor,  but 
could  find  no  employment ;  and  upon  the  community, 
in  his  opinion,  rests  the  responsibility.  And  so  it  does, 
in  a  great  measure. 


PRISON   DISCIPLINE.  309 

"Look to  it, then, my  friends,  that  he  has  no  occasion 
for  such  excuses ;  receive  him  kindly,  encourage  him 
to  persevere.  Remember  that  one  kind  word,  a  night's 
lodging,  or  a  crust  of  bread,  or  any  other  favor,  how- 
ever small,  judiciously  contributed  and  applied,  may 
save  a  man  from  years  of  imprisonment  and  degrada- 
tion, the  public  from  great  losses,  and,  possibly,  a  soul 
from  misery  in  the  world  to  come. 

"We  will  do  our  part  within  the  walls.  We  will 
educate  and  instruct  him  in  a  good  trade,  prepare  him 
for  the  life  that  is  before  him,  and  deliver  him  into 
your  hands,  to  receive  from  you  one  chance  to  start  in 
life  under  more  favorable  auspices,  perhaps,  than  he 
has  ever  had  before  ;  then  if  he  fails,  the  fault  will  be 
his,  not  ours,  and  we  can  enjoy  the  happy  reflection 
of  having  faithfully  discharged  our  duty. 

"  I  cannot  close  without  referring  to  the  services  and 
success  which  has  attended  the  labors  of  your  and  the 
state's  able  and  faithful  agent.  He  has  been  indefati- 
gable in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  successful  be- 
yond precedent.  Not  one  solitary  complaint  has  ever 
reached  my  ear,  even  from  those  who  have  returned 
to  the  prison,  that  they  did  not  receive  from  him  a  kind 
reception,  and  all  the  assistance  they  required.  Their 
failure  to  do  well  was  invariably  owing  to  their  not 
being  able  to  control  their  passion  for  strong  drink,  — 
that  gigantic  evil,  which  fills  our  almshouses  and 
prisons." 


PRISONS    ABROAD. 


(3") 


CHAPTER   VI. 

PRISONS    ABROAD. 

IN  a  trip  to  Europe  the  past  summer,  I  visited  some 
of  the  model  prisons  of  the  old  world.  They  differ 
from  our  own  in  so  many  respects  that  I  have  thought 
a  description  of  some  of  the  principal  ones  might  be 
interesting  to  the  readers  of  this  book. 

They  differ  from  our  prisons,  not  only  in  construc- 
tion, in  the  way  they  are  conducted,,  in  the  object  in 
view,  but  also  in  the  results  attained.  Whether  consid- 
ered from  the  point  of  view  of  the  political  economist, 
or  of  the  philanthropist,  our  prisons  are  far  in  advance 
of  those  which  came  under  my  observation. 

The  object  in  all  cases  with  them  appears  to  be 
punishment /  they  still  cling  to  the  idea  that  men  will 
be  deterred  from  committing  crime  by  the  severity  of 
the  penalty  they  must  undergo  if  detected.  In  the 
English  prisons  little  thought  is  given  to  the  reforma- 
tion of  the  convict.  It  is  an  old  and  very  true  saying 
with  them,  that  "  once  a  criminal,  always  a  criminal " 
—  not  considering  that  it  is  the  system  that  not  only 
makes  criminals,  but  prevents  them  from  extricating 
themselves  from  a  life  of  this  kind  if  once  commenced. 
If  their  theory  is  correct,  their  practice  has  not  been  in 
keeping  with  it.  A  century  ago,  almost  every  crime 
above  petty  larceny  was  a  capital  offence  in  England ; 

(3i3) 


314  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

now  they  have  but  two  or  three  —  showing  the  change 
in  public  opinion  by  reason  of  the  progress  of  education. 

No  thief  was  ever  made  an  honest  man  from  the  fear 
of  the  penalty  of  the  law  he  violates.  The  suppression 
of  crime  must  depend  upon  other  agencies  than  the 
severity  of  penalties.  Education  is  the  way  to  refor- 
mation —  education  not  only  of  the  mind,  but  of  the 
hands.  Reformation  without  labor  is  quite  improb- 
able, and  in  proportion  as  it  is  instructive,  and  can  be 
made  available  and  remunerative  after  their  discharge, 
is  reformation  insured. 

Convicts  in  England,  as  with  us,  are  sentenced  to 
hard  labor,  yet  they  are  not  allowed  to  work,  and  I 
believe  are  prohibited  by  an  act  of  Parliament  from 
working,  at  any  trade  or  employment  which  will  bring 
their  labor  into  competition  with  outside  industry.  The 
result  of  this  system  is,  that  they  learn  and  earn  com- 
paratively nothing.  There  may  be  an  apparent  cause 
for  this  course  in  a  country  like  England,  where  it  is 
so  difficult  even  for  the  honest  and  the  would-be  indus- 
trious to  obtain  labor ;  yet  I  think  it  is  only  in  appear- 
ance, and  not  founded  upon  fact.  It  is  the  cropping 
out  of  the  same  principle  which  in  former  times  so 
bitterly  opposed  the  introduction  of  the  spinning-jenny, 
power-loom,  and  other  labor-saving  machinery,  to  which 
England,  to  a  very  great  extent,  owes  her  greatness  to- 
clav.  When  it  is  understood  that  thousands  are  annu- 
ally convicted  of  crime,  the  result  of  idleness,  either 
from  necessity  or  choice,  it  would  seem  that  good  pol- 
icy, if  no  higher  motive,  would  induce  the  authorities 
to  endeavor  to  instruct  them  while  in  prison,  and  assist 
them  in  obtaining  employment  when  discharged,  so  as 


PRISONS    ABROAD.  315 

to  prevent  their  being  a  constant  charge  upon  the  rate- 
payers. As  it  is,  a  large  class  exists  in  London  who 
spend  at  least  three  quarters  of  their  lives  in  prison, 
and  by  no  effort  of  their  own  can  they  possibly  extri- 
cate themselves  from  the  almost  hopeless  state  in  which 
their  lot  is  cast.  Their  recommitments  arc  from  forty 
to  fifty  per  cent. 

In  London  there  are  about  a  dozen  prisons.  For- 
merly even*  class  of  criminals  and  graduates  in  vice  — 
from  the  simple  novice  to  the  artful  adept,  the  debtor, 
pickpocket,  burglar,  coiner,  poacher,  highwayman, 
vagrant,  and  murderer — were  all  huddled  together  in 
one  and  the  same  building,  called  the  common  jail; 
and  it  was  not  till  1823  that  any  steps  w^ere  taken  to 
enforce  a  separation  of  the  great  body  of  prisoners  into 
classes  —  those  waiting  trial,  and  those  convicted  and 
sentenced. 

The  Middlesex  House  of  Correction,  at  Coldbath 
Fields,  is  one  of  the  oldest,  as  well  as  largest,  peniten- 
tiaries in  London*  It  was  built  in  1 794,  and  had  origi- 
nally but  two  hundred  and  thirty-two  cells.  It  has 
been  enlarged  at  various  times,  and  now  has  accom- 
modations for  twenty-fee  hundred  inmates  in  separate 
apartments.  It  covers  an  area  of  nine  acres,  and  is 
surrounded  by  a  brick  wall  twenty-five  feet  high. 

Before  describing  the  prison  as  it  appeared  to  me 
on  my  visit  to  it  the  past  summer,  it  may  be  interesting 
to  know  something  of  its  history.  The  following  de- 
scription of  it  was  given  by  Captain  Chesterton  on  his 
taking  charge  of  it  in  1829.  He  says,  — 

44 1  found  it  in  a  perfect  state  of  demoralization  ;  the 
procurement  of  dishonest  gains  was  the  only  rule  from 


316  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISONS 

the  governor  downward.  The  laws  forbade  every 
species  of  indulgence,  and  yet  there  was  not  one  that 
was  not  easily  purchased.  The  first  question  asked 
of  a  prisoner  when  committed,  was,  '  Had  he  any 
money,  or  anything  that  could  be  turned  into  money  ? 
Or  would  any  friend,  if  written  to,  advance  him  some?' 
And  if  the  answer  were  affirmative,  then  the  game  of 
spoliation  commenced.  In  some  instances,  as  much 
as  seven  or  eight  shillings  in  the  pound  went  to  the 
turnkey,  with  a  couple  of  shillings  to  the  yard-man, 
who  was  himself  a  prisoner,  and  had  purchased  his  ' 
appointment  from  the  turnkey  at  a  cost  of  never  less 
than  five  pounds,  and  frequently  more.  Then  a  fellow 
called  the  'passage-man'  would  put  in  a  claim  also; 
and  thus  the  novice  would  discover  that  he  was  in  a 
place  where  fees  were  exorbitant  and  charges  multi- 
plied. If  he  complained,  or  made  any  objection  to 
these  extortions,  he  was  obliged  to  run  the  gantlet  of 
the  whole  yard,  by  passing  through  a  double  line  of 
them,  who,  facing  inwards,  assailed  him  with  short 
ropes,  or  well-knotted  handkerchiefs.  The  poor  and 
friendless,  prisoner  was  a  wretchedly  oppressed  man  ; 
he  was  kicked  and  buffeted,  and  made  to  do  any  revolt- 
ing work,  and  dared  not  complain.  As  I  have  already 
remarked,  no  indulgences  were  allowed  by  law,  yet  an 
examination  of  their  cells  by  any  one  but  the  officials 
would  bring  to  light  dice,  cards,  tea,  coffee,  tobacco, 
pipes,  butter,  cheese,  wine,  and  spirits." 

It  is  proper  to  say  that  the  state  of  affairs  described 
does  not  exist  at  the  present  time.  The  prison  to-day 
is  unquestionably  conducted  by  those  in  charge  in  a 
humane  and  proper  manner,  so  far  as  the  rules  for  the 
government  will  allow. 


PRISONS    ABROAD.  317 

On  my  visit  to  the  prison  I  found  over  two  thousand 
inmates,  men  and  boys,  —  no  women,  —  sentenced  from 
three  months  to  three  years.  It  was  originally  intended 
that  this  institution  should  be  conducted  upon  the  sol- 
itary or  separate  plan,  and  the  cells  are  constructed 
with  that  in  view,  being  quite  large.  In  fact,  nearly 
half  the  number  are  confined  to,  and  work  in,  their 
cells  during  the  whole  term  of  their  sentence.  The 
only  labor  in  the  cells  is  picking  oakum.  A  certain 
number  of  pounds  of  old  junk  is  weighed  out  to  them 
every  morning  for  a  day's  work.  About  two  hundred 
persons  work  at  the  same  business  in  a  large  room. 
They  all  have  a  task,  and  on  its  completion  depends 
their  supper  —  in  all  cases  bread  and  gruel.  A  change 
is  made  in  the  gruel,  in  order  to  make  up  a  variety,  I 
suppose,  by  having  salt  in  it  one  night  and  molasses 
the  next.  The  breakfast  is  the  same,  nothing  but  bread 
and  grueL  Twice  a  week  for  dinner  they  have  soup, 
and  the  other  five  days  bread  and  vegetables.  It  would 
seem  that  a  man  ought  to  work  with  unceasing  energy 
rather  than  run  the  risk  of  losing  such  a  supper ! 

About  five  hundred  of  the  inmates  work  on  tread- 
wheels.  In  the  room  devoted  to  this  purpose,  about 
two  hundred  feet  long,  were  eight  wheels,  from  fifty  to 
sixty  feet  in  length,  and  eight  or  ten  in  diameter.  The 
wheels  are  boarded  over  except  where  the  occupant 
stands  ;  they  are  divided  into  compartments,  just  wide 
enough  for  a  man  to  stand  in,  and  a  cross  rail  to  steady 
himself  by.  Only  half  of  the  number  work  on  the 
wheels  at  once,  changing  every  .ten  minutes.  The 
work,  especially  to  the  novice,  is  of  the  most  labori- 
ous kind.  When  relieved,  many  of  them  are  quite 


318  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

exhausted  ;  it  is  like  climbing  a  flight  of  three  or  four 
hundred  stairs  every  other  ten  minutes  through  the  day. 
In  fact,  I  was  informed  that  the  motion  of  the  wheel, 
sliding  away  beneath  their  feet,  rendered  it  much  more 
laborious  and  straining  to  the  muscles  than  ascending 
fixed  stairs. 

The  eight  wheels  were  all  geared  together,  and, 
united,  they  obtained  force  equal  to  an  engine  of  forty- 
horse  power,  which  was  used  for  grinding  corn.  When 
running  full  time,  about  four  hundred  bushels  could  be 
ground  in  a  week,  which  would  cost  outside  to  grind 
twenty  or  twenty-five  dollars.  These  five  hundred 
strong,  able-bodied  men  —  for  they  must  be  that  to  do 
the  work  —  earn  less  than  five  cents  a  week  each  man, 
hardly  enough  to  pay  for  lubricating  the  machinery ; 
not  enough,  certainly,  to  pay  for  the  shoes  worn  out 
upon  the  wheel. 

The  first  three  months  of  a  convict's  sentence  are 
served  upon  the  wheel,  unless  excused  by  the  doctor ; 
each  one  has  the  privilege  of  seeing  the  doctor  every 
morning ;  but  there  is  a  trifling  proviso  attached  to  the 
privilege  which  renders  it  rather  questionable  whether 
it  can  be  counted  as  such.  If  he  is  prescribed  for,  all 
right ;  if  not,  he  is  deemed  an  impostor,  and  treated 
accordingly,  either  to  remain  on,  or  be  returned  to,  the 
wheel  for  an  extra  month  or  two,  to  work  on  the  crank- 
labor  or  lose  a  star  (to  be  explained  hereafter),  as  the 
authorities  may  determine.  The  morning  I  visited  the 
prison,  the  doctor  had  but  four  applicants  out  of  a 
population  of  over  two  thousand  ;  one  was  prescribed 
for,  and  the  remaining  three  had  to  suffer  the  conse- 
quences of  being  impostors.  In  our  prison,  with  a 


PRISONS    ABROAD.  319 

population  of  less  than  six  hundred,  we  have  from 
.twenty  to  thirty  applicants  to  see  the  doctor  every 
morning. 

Good  conduct  for  three  months  entitles  the  convict 
to  a  star,  which  is  placed  upon  the  sleeve  of  his  jacket ; 
for  every  star  found  to  his  credit  when  discharged,  he 
is  entitled  to  half  a  crown  ;  but  he  is  liable  to  lose  these 
for  misconduct,  or  for  being  so  incorrigible  as  to  have 
pains  and  ill  feelings  that  a  doctor,  who  takes  the  busi- 
ness by  contract,  cannot  see  or  feel  himself.  The  conse- 
quence is,  that  few  are  discharged  who  are  not  indebted 
to  the  prison. 

When  received  at  the  prison  their  clothes  are  taken 
from  them  and  carefully  preserved.  The  first  step  to- 
wards preservation  is  to  bake  them  in  a  brimstone  oven 
for  sanitary  and  other  reasons.  I  say  carefully  pre- 
served, for  they  are  usually  in  that  state  that  it  requires 
the  greatest  care  to  keep  them  from  separating  into  the 
various  odds  and  ends  of  which  they  are  usually  com- 
posed ;  to  expose  them  to  a  breath  of  wind  would,  in 
many  cases,  be  certain  destruction. 

When  discharged,  the  prisoners  are  given  a  break- 
fast of  bread  and  gruel,  the  clothes  they  wore  into  the 
prison,  good  or  bad,  frequently  without  a  penny  in 
their  pockets,  with  no  one  to  assist  them,  but  with 
plenty  of  good  advice  in  regard  to  leading  an  honest 
life.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  they  do  come  back 
again  and  again.  What  else  can  be  expected  ?  They 
are  obliged  to  go  back  to  their  old  haunts,  their  old 
associates,  to  get  their  first  dinner  after  leaving  the 
prison. 

While  serving  their  sentence,  they  are  allowed  to 


320  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

see  their  friends  once  in  three  months,  to  write  and  re- 
ceive one  letter  during  the  same  period.  When  visited 
by  their  friends,  they  are  placed  in  a  small  closet,  with 
a  wire  netting  on  one  side,  and  their  friends  in  a  sim- 
ilar one  opposite,  with  a  space  of  some  three  feet  be- 
tween them,  in  which  an  officer  sits. 

Pentonville  and  Millbank  prisons  usually  have  about 
half  the  number  of  inmates  as  the  one  just  described. 
They  are  constructed  and  conducted  upon  the  same 
principles ;  the  sentences  are  longer,  and  in  addition 
to  picking  oakum  and  the  tread-wheels,  they  have 
some  other  kinds  of  employment,  equally  as  laborious, 
but  not  quite  as  profitable.  One  is  called  the  "  Shot 
Drill."  In  the  yard  may  be  seen  large  pyramids  of 
heavy  cannon  balls  ;  the  men  are  ranged  so  as  to  form 
three  sides  of  a  square,  and  stand  three  deep,  each 
prisoner  being  about  ten  feet  from  his  fellow.  All 
their  faces  are  turned  towards  the  officer.  The  labor 
consists  in  passing  the  shot  from  one  pyramid  down 
the  -entire  length  of  the  line  to  another,  and  back  again. 
At  the  word  "  one,"  the  man  nearest  to  the  pyramid 
seizes  a  shot ;  "  two,"  he  moves  sideways,  and  each 
man  takes  the  place  where  his  neighbor  stood ; 
u  three,"  each  one  bends  down  and  carefully  places  the 
shot  upon  the  ground  ;  and  at  "  four,"  each  one  resumes 
his  original  position  ;  and  so  on  till  they  are  all  removed. 
The  shot  must  not  be  dropped,  and  in  putting  it  down, 
or  raising  it,  they  are  compelled  to  keep  their  heels 
together.  The  shot  are  so  smooth  that  there  is  noth- 
ing to  lay  hold  of,  and  the  hands  soon  become  hot  and 
slippery  with  perspiration,  which  renders  the  labor 
fatiguing  beyond  conception.  The  flushed  counte- 


PRISONS    ABROAD.  321 

nances,  and  the  perspiration,  which,  after  a  few  min- 
utes, begins  to  ooze  from  every  pore,  indicate  how 
exhausting  and  depressing  such  useless  labor  is  upon 
those  subjected  to  it. 

Another  kind  of  work  is  what  is  called  the  "  Crank- 
labor."  It  consists  of  an  iron  drum,  eighteen  or  twenty 
inches  in  diameter,  placed  on  legs,  through  which  a 
spindle,  or  shaft,  runs,  with  a  crank  at  one  end.  At- 
tached to  this  spindle,  within  the  drum  (which  is  filled 
with  sand),  are  cups,  so  that  in  turning  the  crank,  the 
cups  are  constantly  lifting  and  moving  the  sand,  requir- 
ing considerable  power  to  turn  it.  Attached  to  the 
machine  is  a  clock,  which  tells  the  number  of  revolu- 
tions made  ;  ten  thousand  being  a  day's  work  of  eight 
and  a  half  hours,  or  about  twenty  a  minute.  This 
labor  is  performed  in  the  cells,  and  is  extremely  dis- 
tressing and  disheartening.  It  is  — 

"  Like  dropping  buckets  into  empty  wells, 
And  wasting  fife  with  drawing  nothing  up." 

For  certain  classes  of  crime,  prisoners  are  now  sen- 
tenced in  England  to  receive  a  specified  number  of 
stripes  in  addition  to  their  imprisonment.  The  arrange- 
ments for  whipping  are  quite  perfect.  In  one  prison 
the  culprit  is  fastened  to  a  triangle  ;  in  another,  after 
having  his  back  bared,  his  wrists  and  ankles  are  fas- 
tened in  stocks.  In  applying  the  u  cats,"  great  care  is 
taken  not  to  draw  blood,  or  break  the  ridges  of  flesh 
raised  by  the  lash,  for,  as  I  was  informed,  that  would 
be  a  relief,  and  lessen  the  pain. 

The  most  interesting  of  all  the  prisons  in  London, 
always  excepting  the  Tower,  is  Newgate  Prison.  "  It 

21 


322  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

is  massive,  dark,  and  solemn  ;  arrests  the  eye,  and  holds 
it.  It  is  one  of  the  half  dozen  buildings,  in  that  wil- 
derness of  bricks  and  mortar,  which  has  a  character." 
In  its  strong,  unique,  and  impressive  architecture,  as 
well  as  in  its  own  eventful  history,  it  rises  in  stern 
grandeur  above  all  the  other  pris6ns  in  England.  It 
was  founded  early  in  the  sixteenth  century,  and  has 
been  enlarged  and  rebuilt  so  that  but  little  of  the  origi- 
nal structure  remains.  It  is  both  jail  and  penitentiary, 
prisoners  being  sentenced  there  for  short  terms,  but  not 
to  hard  labor.  Adjoining  it  is  the  "  Old  Bailey,"  where 
the  prisoners  are  tried,  and  the  two  are  inseparably 
connected  in  history. 

I  have  remarked  that  formerly  capital  offences  were 
much  more  numerous  than  at  the  present  time.  The 
usual  place  of  execution  was  at  Tyburn,  some  two  or 
three  miles  distant  from  the  prison,  whither  they  were 
conveyed  in  a  cart,  and  seated  upon  their  coffin.  It 
was  customary  for  the  procession  to  halt  on  its  way  to 
the  gallows,  and  the  culprit  was  presented  with  a 
draught  of  ale. 

There  was  another  singular  custom  connected  with 
their  executions.  A  Mr.  Robert  Dow,  who  died  in 
1612,  bequeathed  twenty-six  shillings  eight  pence  year- 
ly, forever,  to  be  paid  the  sexton,  or  bellman,  of  St. 
Sepulchre's  Church,  to  pronounce  solemnly  two  exhor- 
tations to  the  persons  condemned,  and  for  ringing  the 
passing  bell  as  they  were  carried  to  the  gallows. 

The  first  exhortation  was  to  be  pronounced  to  the 
condemned  prisoners  in  Newgate  the  night  before  their 
execution,  as  follows  :  — 


PRISONS    ABROAD.  323 

"  You  prisoners  that  are  within, 
Who,  for  wickedness  and  sin, 

after  many  mercies  shown,  you  are  now  appointed 
to  die  to-morrow,  in  the  forenoon  ;  give  ear  and  under- 
stand, that  to-morow  morning  the  great  bell  of  St.  Sep- 
ulchre shall  toll  for  you,  in  form  and  manner  of  the 
passing  bell  as  used  to  be  tolled  for  those  that  are  at 
the  point  of  death.  To  the  end  that  all  goodly  people 
hearing  that  bell,  and  knowing  it  is  for  you  going  to 
your  deaths,  may  be  stirred  up  heartily  to  pray  to  God 
to  bestow  his  grace  and  mercy  upon  you  whilst  you 
live.  I  beseech  you,  for  Jesus  Christ  his  sake,  to  keep 
this  night  in  watching  and  prayer  for  the  salvation  of 
your  own  souls,  while  there  is  yet  time  and  place  for 
mercy,  as  knowing  to-morrow  you  must  appear  before 
the  judgment-seat  of  your  Creator,  there  to  give  an 
account  of  all  the  things  done  in  this  life,  and  to  suffer 
eternal  torments  for  your  sins  committed  against  Him, 
unless  upon  your  hearty  repentance  you  find  mercy 
through  the  merits,  death,  and  passion  of  your  only 
Mediator  and  Advocate,  Jesus  Christ,  who  now  sits  at 
the  right  hand  of  God,  to  make  intercession  for  as 
many  of  you  as  penitentially  return  to  him." 

The  admonition  to  be  pronounced  to  the  convicted 
criminals  as  they  were  passing  by  St.  Sepulchre's 
Church  to  execution  was  as  follows  :  — 

"All  good  people,  pray  heartily  to  God  for  these 
poor  sinners,  who  are  now  going  to  their  death,  for 
whom  this  great  bell  doth  toll.  You  that  are  con- 
demned to  die,  repent  with  lamentable  tears.  Ask 
mercy  of  the  Lord  for  the  salvation  of  your  own  souls, 
through  the  merits,  death,  and  passion  of  Jesus  Christ, 


324  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE   PRISON. 

who  now  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  to  make  inter- 
cession for  as  many  of  you  as  penitentially  return  unto 
him. 

"  Lord  have  mercy  upon  you  1 

"  Christ  have  mercy  upon  you  ! 

"  Lord  have  mercy  upon  you  ! 

"  Christ  have  mercy  upon  you !  " 

This  custom  has  been  dispensed  with  for  many  years, 
with  the  exception  of  tolling  the  bell,  which  is  still 
continued  —  the  first  stroke  of  which  is  the  signal  for 
the  procession  to  move  towards  the  gallows. 

Formerly  the  victim  was  hung  upon  a  lofty  elm  tree, 
called  "  Tyburn  Tree  ;  "  afterwards  the  gallows  was  a 
triangle  upon  three  legs.  A  stone  now  marks  the  spot, 
upon  which  is  inscribed,  "  Here  stood  Tyburn  Tree." 
The  last  person  executed  at  Tyburn  was  John  Austin, 
in  1783. 

The  following  extract,  from  a  work  published  at 
that  time,  shows  the  folly  of  relying  upon  the  gallows 
to  suppress  crime  :  — 

".We  never  had  an  execution  wherein  we  did  not 
grace  the  gibbet  with  ten,  twelve,  or  more  persons ; 
and  on  one  occasion  I  saw  forty  at  once.  But  this 
unfortunate  slaughter  did  no  good  at  all.  The  more 
hangings  there  were,  the  more  hardened  and  desperate 
the  criminals  became." 

At  one  time,  in  February,  1817,  there  were  eighty- 
eight  persons  in  Newgate  sentenced  to  death.  The 
prison  was  calculated  to  hold  four  hundred  and  twenty- 
seven  prisoners,  allowing  ten  or  a  dozen  in  a  room,  and 
yet  as  many  as  twelve  hundred,  debtors  and  criminals, 
have  been  huddled  together,  with  no  regard  to  classifi- 


PRISONS    ABROAD.  325 

cation  either  in  age,  sex,  or  crime.  Great  improve- 
ments have  been  made  in  the  condition  of  the  inmates, 
instigated  and  carried  through  by  the  influence  of  Mrs. 
Fry  and  her  committee  of  Friends. 

From  1783  up  to  within  three  or  four  years,  execu- 
tions have  taken  place  in  the  street  in  front  of  the 
prison.  A  terrible  scene  occurred  in  February,  1807  ; 
two  men,  by  the  names  of  Haggerty  and  Holloway, 
were  to  be  hanged  for  murder,  and  a  great  crowd  assem- 
bled to  witness  the  exhibition.  At  the  close,  in  clearing 
the  street,  twenty-seven  persons  were  trodden  to  death, 
and  a  great  many  others  maimed  and  crippled  for  life. 

The  last  person  publicly  executed  in  London  was 
Michael  Barrett,  about  three  years  ago.  He  was  con- 
demned to  die  as  a  Fenian  conspirator,  and  in  his  death 
did  more  to  keep  alive  and  encourage  the  cause  for  which 
he  died  than  a  long  life  of  activity  could  -have  done. 
It  was  estimated  that  at  least  a  hundred  thousand  peo- 
ple witnessed  the  execution  ;  many  of  them  remaining 
in  the  street  during  the  whole  of  the  preceding  night, 
in  order  to  secure  a  good  position.  Extravagant  prices 
were  paid  for  windows  overlooking  the  scene.  As  the 
rope  was  adjusted  round  his  neck,  some  one  in  the 
crowd,  said  to  have  been  an  American,,  cried  out  in  a 
loud  voice,  "  Good  heart,  Michael  Barrett,  this  day  ! 
All  is  not  lost  while  one  drop  of  Irish  blood  remains  !  " 
And  in  the  answering  shout  of  the  assembled  thou- 
sands the  drop  fell,  and  the  soul  of  Michael  Barrett 
ascended  to  the  God  who  gave  it,  with  the  applause  of 
his  admirers  ringing  in  his  ears. 

You  enter  Newgate  by  a  door  about  four  feet  and  a 
half  high,  elevated  a  few  steps  above  the  level  of  the 


326  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

street,  and  covered  on  the  top  with  formidable  iron 
spikes.  There  is  still  another  massive,  oaken,  inner 
door,  faced  with  iron,  of  enormous  strength,  to  pass 
before  reaching  the  interior.  You  are  first  shown  into 
what  is  called  the  "  Descriptive  Room,"  in  which  is 
kept  a  variety  of  curiosities  of  by-gone  days.  Here  are 
the  irons  worn  by  the  somewhat  celebrated  characters 
in  criminal  history,  Dick  Turpin  and  Jack  Sheppard, 
weighing  upwards  of  thirty  pounds,  which  were  fas- 
tened round  the  ankles,  wrists,  and  the  body ;  irons  of 
the  same  kind,  though  not  quite  as  heavy,  still  used 
on  criminals  sentenced  to  death,  and  kept  on  day  and 
night  till  the  morning  of  their  execution  ;  the  axe  for- 
merly used  for  beheading  state  prisoners ;  belts  and 
other  apparatus  for  pinioning  prisoners  when  executed. 
Many  of  these  articles  have  been  used  on  those  daring 
highwaymen  whose  tragic  histories  are  recorded  in  the 
"  Newgate  Calendar,"  and  remind  us  of  the  romantic 
scenes  enacted  on  Hounslow  Heath  and  Finchley 
Common. 

Another  room  is  filled  with  the  busts  of  all  those 
executed  for  many  years  past,  taken  after  death,  form- 
ing a  collection  of  rare,  but  not  very  pleasing,  objects. 

The  Murderer's  Cell,  as  it  is  called,  where  the  pris- 
oner is  confined  after  sentence,  is  about  twice  the  size 
of  the  others ;  it  has  but  very  little  furniture  in  it. 
They  are  not  allowed  a  knife,  the  food  being  cut  up 
in  small  pieces  before  it  is  brought -to  them.  They  are 
never  left  alone  ;  although  heavily  ironed,  a  guard  is 
with  them  day  and  night.  The  condemned  man  at- 
tends service  in  the  chapel  on  Sundays,  and  occupies  a 
seat  in  front  of  the  desk.  Executions  now  take  place 


PRISONS    ABROAD.  327 

in  the  yard,  and  are  strictly  private.  The  bodies  are 
never  given  to  their  friends,  but  are  buried  in  a  pas- 
sage-way, connecting  the  prison  with  the  Old  Bailey, 
over  which  they  have  to  walk  in  passing  to  and  fro 
during  their  trial.  A  cast  of  the  face  is  first  taken  ;  the 
body  is  then  placed  in  a  rough  coffin  filled  with  quick- 
lime, having  holes  in  the  top,  into  which  water  is 
turned.  Probably  in  forty-eight  hours  the  annihila- 
tion of  the  body  is  complete. 

The  English  executioner's  name  is  Calcroft.  He  is 
an  old  man,  nearly  seventy,  and  is  said  to  be  a  very 
humane  man,  and  quite  respected  by  those  who  know 
him.  He  has  held  the  office  for  many  years,  and  the 
subjects  of  his  handiwork  can  be  counted  by  hundreds, 
if  not  by  thousands.  He  is  a  perfect  artist  in  his  pro- 
fession, as  particular  in  making  his  arrangements  as 
though  measuring  his  victim  for  a  suit  of  clothes.  He 
manufactures  the  ropes  himself,  working  them  till  they 
are  as  soft  and  pliable  as  silk.  They  are  never  used 
but  once,  and  are  buried  with  the  body. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  prisons  I  visited  abroad 
was  the  jail,  as  it  is  called,  in  Glasgow,  Scotlandy 
though  answering,  somewhat,  to  our  houses  of  correc- 
tion. It  contained  about  six  hundred  and  fifty  inmates, 
sentenced  for  short  terms,  about  two  hundred  of  whom 
were  females.  It  was  interesting  from  the  fact  that  the 
experiment  which  has  caused  so  much  discussion  in 
this  state,  of  having  a  prison  especially  for,  and  con- 
ducted entirely  by,  women,  has  been  in  operation,  with 
marked  success,  for  upwards  of  thirty  years. 

Having  been  conducted  over  the  establishment  bv 
the  governor,  on  reaching  the  entrance  of  the  female 


328  MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 

prison,  in  the  same  yard,  though  separated  from  the 
other,  he  stopped,  and  gave  me  in  charge  of  the  ma- 
tron. I  found  everything  extremely  neat  and  clean, 
and  the  most  perfect  order  prevailing  in  every  depart- 
ment. The  officers,  all  women,  handled  the  keys,  and 
discharged  their  various  duties,  with  as  much  ease  and 
facility  as  I  have  ever  witnessed  in  any  prison.  I  in- 
quired of  the  matron  if  she  was  not  sometimes  obliged 
to  call  in  male  assistance.  She  said  no ;  a  case  had 
never  occurred  which  they  had  not  been  able  to  man- 
age satisfactorily.  I  never  doubted  the  propriety,  or 
questioned  the  success,  of  a  prison  of  this  kind,  and 
was  consequently  the  more  pleased  with  what  I  saw. 

The  great  objection  to  the  English  system  of  prison 
management  is,  that  the  inmates,  notwithstanding  the 
labor  is  so  hard,  earn  and  learn  comparatively  nothing, 
and  that  no  provision  is  made  to  assist  them  when  dis- 
charged. It  is  said  the  sun  rises  every  morning  in  Lon- 
don upon  at  least  thirty  thousand  souls  who  know  not 
where  their  breakfast  is  to  come  from.  It  is  extremely 
difficult  even  for  the  honest  and  well-disposed  to  obtain 
employment  in  that  immense  city  ;  how,  then,  can  it  be 
expected  that  those  who  have  been  unfortunate  and 
criminal  can  succeed,  unaided,  where  others  fail? 
Nothing  short  of  a  miracle  can  extricate  them  from 
the  terrible  surroundings  in  which  their  lives  are  cast. 

What  to  do  with  their  convicts  is  the  great  problem 
yet  to  be  solved  in  England.  There  is  not  a  prison  in 
London  but  has  recently  been,  or  is  about  being,  en- 
larged ;  not  a  workhouse,  or  charitable  institution  'of 
any  kind,  but  is  filled  to  overflowing ;  and  the  cry  is, 
Still  they  come.  Here  is  a  cloud  in  the  English  sky, 


PRISONS    ABROAD.  329 

hardly  large  enough  to  attract  attention  yet,  but  expand- 
ing at  a  rapid  rate  —  a  cloud  that  will  require  all  the 
statesmanship  of  the  nation  to  dispel  or  even  control ; 
let  it  burst,  and  the  consequences  will  be  fearful  to  con- 
template. Woe  to  thee,  O  England,  great  and  pow- 
erful as  thou  art,  should  the  time  ever  arrive  when  the 
hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water  shall  rise  in 
their  might  and  majesty,  and  demand  the  inalienable 
rights  God  has  implanted  in  the  hearts  of  every  crea- 
ture bearing  the  impress  of  his  own  image  !  Wait  not 
till  it  shall  be  wrested  from  thee,  but  make  it  a  free 
offering,  a  virtue  of  necessity  if  you  will,  but  do  this 
one  act;  then  shalt  thou  become  great  in  reality,  as 
thou  art  in  name. 


APPENDIX. 


SINCE  the  opening  of  the  prison  there  have  been 
fourteen  Wardens,  seven  Deputy  Wardens,  sixty-seven 
Inspectors,  six  Physicians,  eight  Chaplains,  and  five 
Clerks,  as  follows  :  — 

Wardens. 

Appointed.  Retired. 

Daniel  Jackson,      ....  1805,  ....  1810. 

Robert  Gardner,     ....  1810,  ....  1812. 

Gamaliel  Bradford,      .     .     .  1812,  ....  1824. 

Thomas  Harris,       ....  1824,  ....  1828. 

William  Austin,      ....  1828,  ....  1832.  ^ 

Charles  Lincoln,  Jr.,  .     .     .  1832,  ....  1843. 

Frederic  Robinson,     .     .     .  1843,  •     •     •     •  1849. 

H.  K.  Frothingham,    .     .     .  1849,  •     •     •     •  l&52* 

Stephen  Whitmore,  Jr.,  .     .  1852 1854. 

Jefferson  Bancroft,       .     .     .  1854,  ....  1855. 

David  S.  Jones, 1855,  •    •     •     •  l856. 

Solon  H.  Tenny,    ....  1856,  ....  1856. 

Jacob  S.  Porter,      ....  1857,  ....  1858. 

Gideon  Haynes,      ....  1858,  .     .     .  Still  in  office. 

Deputy  Wardens. 

Appointed.  Retired. 

Charles  Lincoln,  Jr.,  .     .     .     1828,     ....     1832. 

Enoch  Hunt, 1832,     ....     1843. 

Ebenezer  Payne,  ....  1843,  ....  1850. 
Galen  C.  Walker,  ....  1850,  ....  1856. 
Charles  W.  Walker,  .  .  .  1857,  •  •  •  •  l858- 
Benjamin  L.  May  hew,  .  .  1858,  ....  j868. 
Oliver  Whitcomb,  ....  1868,  ....  1869. 

Almon  Hale, 1869,     .     .     .  Still  in  office. 

(33i) 


332 


MASSACHUSETTS   STATE   PRISON. 


Inspectors. 


Christopher  Gore, 
Artemas  Ward, 
Benjamin  Pickman, 
Jedediah  Morse, 
Josiah  Bartlett, 
Andrew  Cragie, 
Joseph  Kurd, 
John  Lowell, 
Isaac  P.  Davis, 
George  G.  Lee, 
Samuel  P.  Gardner, 
William  Pickman, 
William  Gray, 
Tristram  Barnard, 
Joseph  Russell, 
Matthew  Bridge, 
Jonathan  L.  Austin,  " 
Thomas  Melville, 
James  Prince, 
Jesse  Putnam, 
Caleb  Brigham, 
Benjamin  Weld, 
Elias  Phinney, 
Nehemiah  Freeman, 
John  Soley, 
James  T.  Austin, 
William  C.  Jarvis, 
F.  C.  Gray, 
Sherman  Leland, 
Seth  Knowles, 
Charles  Wells, 
John  R.  Adan, 
Josiah  Quincy,  Jr., 
Samuel  Greele, 

E.  L. 


William  Minot, 
Bradford  Sumner, 
Benjamin  P.  Williams, 
Abraham  F.  Howe, 
William  J.  Hubbard, 
Richard  Frothingham,  Jr., 
William  Sawyer, 
George  H.  Kuhn, 
Robert  Cowdin, 
James  G.  Fuller, 
John  Gardner, 
John  Codman, 
James  Adams, 
John  Odin, 
Oliver  Frost, 
J.  E.  Farwell, 
James  Perkins, 
S.  W.  Robinson, 
Lemuel  M.  Barker, 
P.  J.  Stone, 
John  A.  Goodwin, 
George  W.  McLellan, 
Francis  Childs, 
Stephen  N.  Stockwell, 
Harmon  Hall, 
J.  M.  Usher, 
Anthony  S.  Mors, 
Estes  Howe, 
Edwin  Walden, 
Nehemiah  Boynton, 
Joseph  D.  Pinder, 
Everett  Torrey, 
James  Pierce, 
Edward  H.  Dunn. 
Norton. 


APPENDIX.  333 


Physicians. 

Dr.  Josiah  Barllett,  Dr.  J.  W.  Bemis, 

Dr.  A.  R.  Thompson,  Dr.  Wm.  B.  Morris, 

Dr.  Wm.  J.  Walker,  Dr.  A.  B.  Bancroft. 
Dr.  J.  G.  Dearborn. 

Chaplains. 

Rev.  Jedediah  Morse,  Rev.  Jared  Curtis, 

Rev.  Walter  Balfour,  Rev.  H.  E.  Hempstead, 

Rev.  Oliver  Brown,  Rev.  Joseph  Ricker, 

Rev.  William  Collier,  Rev.  George  J.  Carleton. 

Rev.  M.  M.  Parkhurst,  Rev.  W.  W.  Colburn. 

Clerks. 

Thomas  C.  Larkin,  James  M.  Francis, 

William  H.  Lane,  Wm.  Peirce,  (appointed  in 

H.  K.  Frothingham,  1854,  and  still  in  office.) 


The  following  are  the  number  of  convicts  commit- 
ted to  the  prison  from  the  opening  to  January  i,  18715 
the  number  discharged  on  expiration  of  sentence,  par- 
doned, died,  &c. :  — 

Whole  number  committed,      ......  7813 

Discharged  on  expiration  of  sentence,  ....  5698 

"           by  order  of  court,          .         .         .         .  43 

"           by  pardon,    .......  1122 

"           by  death, 301 

"           by  suicide,     .......  6 

Murdered  by  other  convicts, 3 

Shot  in  attempting  to  escape, 2 

Escaped, 40 

Sent  to  Insane  Hospital, 37 


334 


MASSACHUSETTS    STATE    PRISON. 


Sentenced  for  life,    ........         3^5 

Now  in  prison  for  life,     .......  62 

In  prison  January  I,  1871, 561 

Committed  the  second  time, 868 

The  longest  time  served  on  a  series  of  sentences,  34  years  8  mos- 

The  next  longest, 34  years. 

Longest  time  on  one  sentence  (now  in  prison),  22  yrs.  2  mos. 

The  next  longest, 20  years  2  mos. 

Now  in  prison  who  have  served  ten  years  and  upwards,      .     8 
Average  time  served, 13  years  7  mos. 


The   following  officers  have  been  connected   with 
the  State  Prison  for  a  period  of  ten  years  or  more  :  — 


Name  and  Office. 

Date  of  Appoint- 
ment. 

Term  of  Service. 

Gideon  Haynes,  Warden, 

April,  1858. 

12  years  9  months. 

Almon  Hale,  Deputy  Warden, 

Jan.,  1857. 

H' 

'        0 

William  Peirce,  Clerk, 

April,  1854. 

16 

9 

John   E.    Shaw,   Turnkey, 

April,  1839. 

3i 

David  Sargent, 

May,  1843. 

27 

S 

Charles  W.  Gale, 

June,  1850. 

20 

7 

Geo.  A.  Lounsberry, 

Sept.,  1850.    J20 

3 

Joshua  B.  Rea, 

March,  1852. 

18 

10 

Thomas  Richardson, 

Sept.,  1853. 

*7 

3 

E.  S.  Darling, 

Sept.,  1856. 

H 

3 

Joseph  B.  Jepson, 

Jan.,  1858. 

13 

0 

J.  F.  Simonds, 

Sept.,  1858. 

12 

3 

William  B.  Ramsell, 

Jan.,  1859. 

12 

0 

J.  W.  Prentiss,  Watchman, 

May,  1857. 

'3 

8 

Samuel  Poor,               " 

May,  1859. 

II 

«     8 

t 

U.  C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


